Day after clash, Shiv Sena leader attacked in Phagwara

Ashok Kaura

Phagwara, April 14

A day after a clash between Dalit youths and activists of several Hindu organisations, the Punjab Shiv Sena vice-president, Rajesh Palta, was allegedly attacked by a group of unidentified people near Balmiki Chowk here on Saturday morning.

When the police reached the spot to rescue him, the attackers pelted them with stones and damaged their vehicle. The situation remained tense since then with shopkeepers opting to keep their establishments shut.

Mohammad Tayab, Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala, claimed that the situation was under control, but being monitored. Sandeep Sharma, SSP, said adequate forces had been deployed in the town. The situation here has been tense since the April 2 bandh.

Earlier on Friday night, the town witnessed violence after activists of the Ambedkar Sena (Mool Niwasi) put up two hoardings to name a chowk as Sanvidhaan Chowk with Dr BR Ambedkar’s picture on it. The move was opposed by some Hindu groups which resulted into a clash in which six persons were injured.

The police have booked around 30 unknown persons on the charges of creating ruckus. Six persons — Head Constable Amardeep Singh, Zimmi Karwal, son of Shiv Sena leader Inderjit Karwal, Yaswant, alias Bobby, Jaswinder Kumar, Baljinder, Kulwinder Kumar — who sustained injuries were admitted to the local Civil Hospital. Bobby was referred to Ludhiana owing to his critical condition.

Meanwhile, the police tried to pacify both communities by holding separate meetings. The police also held a flag march in the town.

Hindu activists accused the civil and police administration of bias and demanded the transfer of SDM, ADC and SP. The Dalits stuck to their stand on renaming Goal Chowk as Samvidhaan Chowk.

Meanwhile, the proposed visit of state BJP chief Shwait Malik to the town was cancelled. The New Delhi-Lahore buses were diverted from Kartarpur and Phillaur. Even vehicular traffic on highway was diverted via link roads.

Mobile interNet off, CM calls for peace

Chandigarh: In the wake of a violent clash between two communities in Phagwara, the state government has ordered the suspension of mobile internet services in four districts. In a press release, the government said mobile internet services had been suspended in Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts as a precautionary measure to check rumour mongering on social media. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony, while warning a stringent action against anyone found disturbing law and order in the state. Capt Amarinder has also directed the police to maintain a tight vigil and crack down on any disruptive elements. He has asked the police to thoroughly investigate the incident. He announced that the state government would bear the entire expenses for medical treatment of those injured in the clashes. tns