Days after the pages of Sikhs’ holy book were found scattered near a gurdwara in a Faridkot village, Punjab on Wednesday witnessed a bloody clash between the Sikh protesters and police leading to death of two and injury to100, including an Inspector General of Police (IGP). Two Sikh protesters, 43-year-old Kishan Singh of Miami Wala village and 21-year-old Bittu Singh of Sarawan village, died of bullet injuries on the spot.
Condemning the “heinous sacrilege” of Guru Granth Sahib at Bargari village in Faridkot district, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal ordered a judicial enquiry by a sitting HC judge to investigate the incident and its aftermath. Badal assured exemplary punishment to the perpetrators.
The Chief Minister has directed State Police chief Sumedh Singh Saini to constitute a special investigating team (SIT) under the leadership of ADGP (Crime) IPS Sahota, along with Bathinda Range DIG RS Khattra and Ferozepur Range DIG Amar Singh Chahal, to track down the culprits.
Two Sikh protesters were killed allegedly in police firing and 100 others were injured during the clashes in a number of places in the State, including Faridkot, Moga and Sangrur districts.
A major clash between protesters and the police took place in Behbal Kalan village where the activists of various Sikh organisations, including radicals, had set up a blockade. The protesters also burnt vehicles, including an anti-riot vehicle.
"A police party was sent to clear the blockade near Behbal Kalan village. The protesters clashed with cops, pelted stones on them, forcing police to open fire in self-defence, lob tear gas shells and use water cannons to disperse the mob," said Faridkot Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sukhwinder Singh. He said that the "situation is tense, but under control".
Ferozpur range DIG Amar Singh Chahal said: "The protesters resorted to stone-pelting at the police and set ablaze police vehicles including two jeeps and a bus. It is to be investigated how the two persons died."
Earlier, protesters clashed with police at Kotkapura, in Faridkot district, he said. Bathinda Zone IGP JK Jain was among the injured. There were 15 police personnel among the injured, the officials said. Clashes between protesters and police were also reported from some places in Sangrur and Moga.
The protesters have accused the police for violence, while the police alleged that not only the gunshots were fired by mobs but they (protesters) also use kripans (swords) to attack the police.
Police had to open fire, use water cannons and lob tear gas shells to disperse them, officials said. Heavy police force has been deployed to maintain law and order in Faridkot, Moga, Mansa, Bathinda and Sangrur districts.
A Sikh religious body has reportedly called for a shutdown in the areas around Kotkapura, including Bathinda, Faridkot, Barnala and Ferozepur among others on Thursday over the alleged desecration.