Opposition protests today, police on alert

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 31

The Punjab Police have mobilised all district police and reserve battalions, including the anti-riot squad, to deal with tomorrow’s protests by the Shiromani Akali Dal and the AAP rebel group.

The Sukhpal Khaira-led group has announced to burn effigies of Akali leaders, including the Badals, for their alleged failure in solving and preventing sacrilege cases.

The Akalis have announced statewide protests against the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report. The police are fearing clashes as Akali activists may also target Khaira. HS Dhillon, DGP, Law and Order, told The Tribune that the police force was in readiness to prevent any untoward incident.

A group of Panthic organisations have been sitting on dharna at Bargari (Faridkot) since June 1, demanding action against those guilty of committing sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. They also want action against police officials responsible for firing at anti-sacrilege protesters in 2015.

Meanwhile, seeking the arrest of the accused in sacrilege and police firing cases, AAP workers on Friday burnt effigies of SAD leaders, including former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and former Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, in Ropar.

In Moga, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) demanded stern action against Badal and former DGP Sumedh Singh Saini.