Even as a magisterial enquiry has been ordered into an incident where members of two communities clashed with each other on Friday, a strike called by Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) evoked a partial response.
The probe was ordered by Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Jaskiran Singh. Phagwara ADC Iqbal Singh Sandhu will conduct it and submit his report by July 28, said officials.
On Saturday Director General of Police, Suresh Arora placed Kanwalpreet Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Phagwara under suspension and attached him with Police Headquarters, Chandigarh on account of his failure to anticipate and handle the recent law and order situation in Phagwara. Ajinder Singh, SP, Phagwara has been transferred to Police Headquarters, Chandigarh.
A spokesman of the Punjab police said that the action has been taken on basis of a report received from the Inspector General of Police, Zone-II, Jalandhar.
Jasbir Singh Rai has been posted as the Superintendent of Police, Phagwara and Manpreet Singh has been posted as DSP Phagwara with directions to take charge of their new assignments immediately.
Meanwhile, the DC said the situation was under control, although heavy police force was deployed in the city.
Members of two communities, armed with swords and other sharp weapons, clashed and hurled stones at each other here, leaving several persons injured on Friday.
Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) had called for a Phagwara Bandh to press for the transfer of the local SP and DSP for allegedly mishandling the situation. The strike though evoked only a partial response, said officials, adding that most of the shops and commercial establishments remained opened.