Police Crackdown on Protestors in Ludhiana; 1 Dead, 15 Injured

One person was killed and 15 others were wounded, three of them policemen, when Sikhs who were objecting to a religious congregation being held by Jalandhar-based sect clashed with police in Ludhiana on Saturday.

Police used batons and teargas to quell protestors which grew into a clash between the two sides. In the clash, three policemen, including Deputy Superintendent of Patran in Patiala district Sukhdev Singh, sustained injuries.

According to police, the situation is under control and curfew has not been lifted in the area. Paramilitary forces are also there in Ludhiana.

DSP Singh was wounded when he was attacked with a ‘kirpan’. Some protesters were wielding swords and kirpans at the protest march, a police spokesman said.

The clash was triggered after a group of Sikhs protesting against the congregation called by Jalandhar-based Divya Jyoti Sansthan chief Ashutosh Maharaj tried to force their way
towards the venue.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ludhiana Range, Sharad Chauhan told reporters that the police opened fire in the air after baton charge and bursting of tear gas shells failed to stop the protestors led by former Jathedar of Akal Takht Jasbir Singh Rode and some other radical leaders including Damdami Taksal Chief Mokham Singh and Harnam Singh.

One person was brought dead with a bullet wound in his chest and 12 other injured persons were brought to the Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital, a hospital pokesman said. The three injured policemen were provided medical aid on the spot.