Patiala Violence: Tension is high in the city after clashes broke out between Shiv Sena (Balasaheb) workers and Khalistan supporters during the Khalistan Murdabad march in Patiala on Friday. In view of the seriousness of the matter, the internet has been shut down in Patiala from 9:30 to 6:00 pm. To prevent the spread of rumours, the Home Department of the Punjab Government has issued orders. At the same time, after the removal of Patiala IG Rakesh Agarwal, Senior SP and City SP have also been removed.
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mukhwinder Singh Chinna has been appointed as the new IG Patiala. At the same time, Deepak Parik has been appointed as the Senior SP of Patiala while Wazir Singh has been appointed as the new SP of Patiala. At present, 10 companies have been deployed in the city and the police are conducting flag marches.
Hindu organizations have called for Patiala bandh today. Along with this, a dharna, fury march has also been called to demand the arrest of the culprits of the attack on Kali Mata temple. At the same time, Patiala SSP Nanak Singh said that the situation in Patiala is completely under control. He appealed to the people not to pay heed to any kind of rumours.
On the other hand, after the announcement of the Hindu organization, a large number of security forces have been deployed in the city as a precaution. On Saturday morning, Patiala Senior SP Nanak Singh met Giriji Maharaj, the head of the Bharatiya Hindu Suraksha Samiti in his office.
The Hindu organizations are demanding the arrest of Khalistani supporters who tried to enter the Kali Mata temple and pelted stones near the premises. Stones were also pelted at the car of Harish Singla, who led the march. In view of the seriousness of the matter, the administration had imposed curfew from 7 pm on Friday to 6 am on Saturday.
Against the incident, a Hindu organization named Shiv Sena Hindustan has called for Patiala Bandh on 30 April i.e. today. Shiv Sena Hindustan National President Pawan Gupta has said that the Kali Devi temple had nothing to do with the march against Khalistan. Khalistan supporters have desecrated the temple by attacking the temple. They have announced a bandh demanding action against Khalistan supporters.
Regarding this incident of clashes in Patiala, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh had told that four people were injured in the violence during the anti-Khalistan march. He said that two policemen were also among the injured. The SSP said that permission was not given for the protest march during which the clashes took place.
During the clash, the police used force and opened fire to disperse the people. Regarding this, he said that all the right steps were taken to control the situation only on the orders of the Duty Magistrate.
A day earlier, Shiv Sena (Balasaheb) working president Harish Singla had announced the Khalistan Murdabad March. He had said that Shiv Sena will not allow Punjab to become Khalistan. According to Singla’s announcement, a large number of people gathered at the designated place on Friday and the Khalistan Murdabad march came out.
The people who were involved in this march were walking with anti-Khalistan slogans. People from pro-Khalistan organizations also came in protest against the people raising anti-Khalistan slogans. They started raising slogans in support of Khalistan. When the two factions came face to face, swords started being waved. The police tried to stop by barricading but that proved to be insufficient. In the end, the police had to use force.