Curfew was imposed in Punjab’s Patiala after communal clashes broke out between two groups during an anti-Khalistan protest march on Friday. Police had fired bullets in the air and the situation was reported to be under control.
Chandigarh: A day after reports of clashes between two groups over an anti-Khalistan march which had witnessed brandishing of swords and stone pelting in Patiala city, Punjab government on Saturday swung into action. The authorities have suspended mobile internet and SMS services allowing voice calls only in the district. The restrictions were imposed for a few hours on Saturday to prevent rumour mongering in the region. A total of four people had suffered injury during the clashes which had broken out.
“Mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA), all SMS services and all dongle services etc provided on mobile networks except voice calls in the territorial jurisdiction of the District of Patiala from 9:30 am to 6 pm on 30th April 2022.All Telecom Services providers in the State of Punjab and Head of BSNL (Punjab Jurisdiction) are hereby directed to ensure compliance of this order,” said the state government release.
In a strict measure, Punjab Police has removed three top police officials for not managing the situation. As per the sources, The Inspector General of Police (Patiala Range), the Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police and the Superintendent of Police were transferred from the post following orders from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Mukhwinder Singh Chinna has reportedly been appointed as the new IG-Patiala Range while Deepak Parik will be the new senior superintendent of police for Patiala. Wazir Singh has been appointed as the new superintendent of police of Patiala.
The Punjab CM told a TV channel that Shiv Sena and BJP workers and Shiromani Akali Dal men were behind the clashes. He, however, added that the issue has been settled down. He claimed that it was a clash between two political parties and not a communal clash.
Curfew was imposed in Punjab’s Patiala after communal clashes broke out between two groups during an anti-Khalistan protest march on Friday. Police had fired bullets in the air and the situation was reported to be under control.
Police had arrested Shiv Sena leader Harish Singla in connection with the incident. The march was reportedly called by the arrested Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) which was started from Arya Samaj Chowk with the Sena activists raising the “Khalistan Murdabad” slogan. The leader had reportedly organised the march without seeking official permission. Shiv Sena (Hindustan) has given the call for ‘Patiala Bandh’ on Saturday.
As per the report, clashes took place outside the Kali Mata temple when members of Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) outfit started ‘Khalistan Murdabad March’. During the march, members of two groups- Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) outfit and Shikh activists including some Nihangs- started waving swords and engaging in stone pelting at each other. Later, Sikh activists took out a counter march against the Sena rally. The supporters blocked Patiala’s Fountain Chawk and shouted pro Khalistan slogans. The area witnessed a tense atmosphere and elaborate security arrangements were done to restore peace in the region.
