Bandh in Punjab in support of Balwant Singh Rajoana
CHANDIGARH: The bandh in Punjab in support of a clemency demand for Balwant Singh Rajoana, a Babbar Khalsa terrorist, who is on death row in the assassination case of former chief minister Beant Singh turned violent and results in the injury of at least six persons in a clash between two groups in Patiala during the Wednesday.
The bandh was called by radical Sikh outfits and other social organisations protesting the scheduled execution of Rajoana.In Jalandhar, protesters tried to close a bank forcibly and pelted stones at open shops. Hardliners Dal Khalsa, Khalsa Action Committee, Khalra Mission organisations had urged the Sikh community to voluntarily shut down their business establishments to keep the day long bandh peaceful.
In Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts complete bandh was observed on Wednesday.Roads remained deserted and public transport was also badly affected. Buses throughout the state remained off the roads.
From Switzerland, Italy, France and Germany reports of bandh was received from where Sikhs kept their businesss closed. “Sikhs also kept their business closed in Italy, Germany and France” said Ranjit Singh Masuta from Switzerland. SAD and Congress have backed Rajoana seeking clemency for him. However, SAD key ally BJP has maintained that the law should take its course.
