2 killed in police firing, Faridkot tense after Guru Granth Sahib desecration

Two people were killed in police firing Wednesday as protests over the alleged desecration of a Guru Granth Sahib spread to several villages in Fardikot. At least 80 people were injured when police used teargas, lathicharge and fired in the air to disperse a dharna by Sikhs at Kotakpura chowk in Faridkot early Wednesday. Later in the day, police fired to disperse protesters in village Behbal Kalan, killing two men, Bittu Singh and Krishan Singh, reports The Indian Express. A third man was admitted to hospital with bullet wounds.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged desecration of the Sikh holy text and the violence that followed. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal announced a reward of Rs 1 crore for information leading to the arrest of those who desecrated the text.

Sikh activists protesting against the alleged desecration of their holy book threw stones and clashed with police who used teargas shells and water canons to quell the protest. Tension prevailed in the district after the violence and heavy police force has been deployed to maintain calm. At least 6000 Sikh activists staged a protest demanding action against those responsible for the sacrilege.

Ferozepur range DIG Amar Singh Chahal said that police used mild force only when all channels of dialogue between the police officials and leaders of Sikh organisations failed.

Police have detained 500 protesters to maintain law and order. According to officials, a holy book was stolen from a religious place located on Bathinda-Kotkapura road recently.

Condemning the incident, Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal said in a statement here yesterday that nobody would be allowed to disturb the hard earned peace and communal harmony of the state.

“I appeal the people to maintain peace, amity and communal harmony at all cost as preached by our great gurus, seers and prophets,” he said.