Curfew imposed in Patiala after group clash

Bid to hold a march against announcement by Sikhs for Justice to mark foundation day of Khalistan

Curfew was imposed in Punjab’s Patiala district on Friday after a clash broke out between different groups of people amid a confrontation surrounding the holding of a foot march in the city against the pro-‘Khalistan’ movement attempt.

Four persons, including two police personnel, were injured in the incident, in which people from different groups hurled stones at one another and brandished swords near the ‘Kali Mata’ temple of the city. The situation was brought under control after police intervention.

A source in the administration told The Hindu that the Shiv Sena (Bal Thakrey) had sought permission to hold a march in the city against the backdrop of the announcement by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) to mark the foundation day of Khalistan on April 29. The permission was, however, denied by the administration. In reaction to the Shiv Sena’s idea to hold the march, a group of ‘Khalistan’ sympathisers had announced to hold a countermarch.

Superintendent of Police Patiala (city) Harpal Singh said the clash between the group members started after many of them came face to face on the road near the temple. “It all began after different rumours started surrounding the march. The anti-social elements pelted stones at each other, resulting in injuries. Police were, however, quick to control the situation,” he said.

“While Shiv Sena members assembled in one part of the city, there were rumours spread about their starting the march, and as a reaction, the members of the other group, who were at a local gurdwara came out on streets,” Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney told The Hindu.

Ms. Sawhney said while the situation in Patiala was under control, it had been decided to impose a curfew in the district as a measure of caution under Section 144 of Cr. PC.

“The curfew shall be imposed in the district from 7 p.m. of April 29, 2022 to 6 a.m. of April 30, 2022 for maintenance of peace and law and order,” said the order.