leaving nothing to chance before the Assembly polls, Punjab Government on Sunday turned offensive against the organisers of Sarbat Khalsa and those who are expecting to participate in the Sikh congregation scheduled to be held at Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda) on November 10.
In a major crackdown, Punjab police has, so far, made nearly 1,500 arrests — in an apparent attempt to prevent a high turnout in the congregation. Among those who have been arrested include “Akal Takht’s officiating head priest (jathedar)” Bhai Dhian Singh Mand.
The police has also been conducting raids across the State to round up other Sikh leaders.
A day before, the police had arrested NRI Resham Singh from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport when he landed there to take part in the Sikh congregation to be held at Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda) on November 10.
President of the European unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Resham Singh was booked on the charge of sedition.
It has been learnt that the police has uprooted the tents the Sarbat Khalsa organisers erected for the main event. What is more, they have also not been given the place they have asked for organising event.
Already, Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking permission for organising Sarbat Khalsa on November 10 at Talwandi Sabo. The matter is expected to come up for hearing on Monday.