Crackdown on hardliners, 12 detained

Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Talwandi Sabo, December 6

The police today launched a statewide crackdown on the organisers of “Sarbat Khalsa”. At least 12 leaders of various Sikh organisations were detained. A heavy police force has been deployed at Natt road in Talwandi Sabo, the venue of “Sarbat Khalsa”.

Raids were also conducted at the residences of nearly 150 leaders and workers of several Sikh organisations across the state.

Tension gripped Talwandi Sabo in the early hours today when the police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel cordoned off the venue. The action was taken following apprehensions that the organisers could “vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of the state”.

A group of Sikh activists led by Gurdip Singh Bathinda and Jaskaran Singh Kahan Singh Wala entered the state from Dadu village in Haryana at 4.30 am along with “Palki Sahib” carrying Guru Granth Sahib.

They stopped the “Palki Sahib” and deflated its tyres at the venue and started the “akhand path”. The police got wind of the development and cordoned off the Natt road venue by 5 am.

The police detained Gurdip Singh, Parminder Singh Balianwali, Chamkaur Singh Bhairupa, Sukhdev Singh Joganand and four others. They were taken to Maur police station.

SK Asthana, IG, said the pre-emptive action was meant to keep an eye on the developments related to proposed congregation.

Meanwhile, Sikh leaders Chamkaur Singh Bhairupa and Sukhdev Singh Joganand were detained while they were on their way to hand over an application to the Deputy Commissioner to seek permission for holding of the congregation.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court, it is learnt, has directed the petitioners to approach the Deputy Commissioner to seek permission for the event.