4 leaders of Hindu outfits arrested after violent clashes in Phagwara

Ashok Kaura

Phagwara, April 15

The police on Sunday arrested four leaders of various Hindu outfits in connection with the violent clashes that took place in Phagwara on Friday over renaming of a chowk.

The arrested men are Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) state vice president Inderjit Karwal, Shiv Sena national president Shivi Batta, Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha leader Rajiv Chahal and Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Suraksha Samiti state president Deepak Bhardwaj.  

Phagwara remained tense on Sunday, two days after violent clashes between rightwing Hindu groups and Dalits left six people wounded.

When contacted SHO, City, Phagwara, Gurmeet Singh Sidhu confirmed that all arrested Hindu leaders were produced before Judicial Magistrate who sent them in jail for 14 days.

Arms licenses issued to all arrested Hindu leaders have been cancelled, claimed the SHO.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to continue suspension of internet services in Doaba till April 16 evening.

Reinforcements—1,700 additional policemen, including the Rapid Action Force and riot police—continue to be stationed at Phagwara.

Police booked 300 people in three different cases over Friday’s violent clashes on Saturday in a damage control measure.

Clashes erupted when some Hindu leaders objected to installing a flex board bearing a photo of Dr BR Ambedkar and renaming ‘Goal Chowk’ as ‘Sambhidhan Chowk’ on Friday night.

Punjab Shiv Sena vice-president, Rajesh Palta, was allegedly attacked by a group of unidentified people near Balmiki Chowk a day after the clash on Saturday morning.