10 hurt as Damdami Taksal, Dera Pala Singh men clash

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, August 2

A bloody clash erupted between activists of the Damdami Taksal and Dera Baba Pala Singh Nihang over grazing of cows in the fields of the Damdami Taksal at Mehta on Friday afternoon. More than 10 persons sustained injuries amid firing reportedly by Damdami Taksal and stone pelting by nihangs.

Three of them, Amritapal Singh Mehta, Jagtar Singh Mehta and Gursewak Singh Lohgarh, are seriously injured. Supporters of Dera Baba Pala Singh claimed that one of the activists was killed during firing, but the police said it had got no such report.

Nihangs and their supporters blocked Jalandhar-Batala Road at Mehta and demanded arrest of Damdami Taksal activists. The injured have been identified as Manpreet Singh Nagali, Ranjit Singh Enokot, Amritpal Singh Jodha Nagari, Heera Singh Bhoewal, Neela Singh Baba Bakala, Akashdeep Singh Mehta, Harpreet Singh Kuhatwind, Jagga and Lakhu of Mehta.

According the information, the cows of Dera Baba Palla Singh were passing through fields in Mehta. A group of cattle entered the fields of the Damdami Taksal. Both the groups have an old rivalry over the issue.

Police officials said activists of the Damdami Taksal opened fire and injured several. Nihangs resorted to stone pelting at Damdami Taksal activists.

Satpal Singh, SHO, Mehta police station, said, “Two persons have sustained severe injuries due to firing by Damdami Taksal members. No one has been killed. The situation is under control.”