Sikh hardliners challenge Shiv Sainiks in absentia

Even as Hindu right wing Shiv Sena had called off its Lalkar Rally about three days back, Sikh hardliners assembled at the proposed site—the Beas bridge—on the National Highway -1 on Wednesday to challenge them.

Even as Hindu right wing Shiv Sena had called off its Lalkar Rally about three days back, Sikh hardliners assembled at the proposed site—the Beas bridge—on the National Highway -1 on Wednesday to challenge them.

Amid heavy security arrangements, Sikh radicals from across the state started gathering on the bridge early morning.(HT Photo)

Amid heavy security arrangements, Sikh radicals from across the state started gathering on the bridge early morning. They raised slogans against the Shiv Sena and the state government.

Named as the “Anakh Rally”, the rally was addressed by Dhian Singh Mand, acting Akal Takht Jathedar appointed at radical’s Sarbat Khalsa, Amrik Singh Ajnala, another jathedar appointed by the radicals and leaders Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwala) and Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee.

Mand said, “Hindu right wing groups want to disturb the peace in Punjab by carrying out provocative activities which will not be tolerated.”

He said the “Lalkar Rally” smelt of a nexus between SAD-BJP government and the communal forces. “We will not let anyone to create tension in the state,” he said.

They have sent a memorandum to Punjab governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, demanding that activities aimed at disturbing the peace should be stopped in the state.

Though the activists did not block the bridge, but commuters suffered due to a traffic jam.

The cops from Amritsar (rural) and Kapurthala had made unprecedented security arrangements to prevent an untoward incident. Police was on a high alert in Amritsar city and Tarn Taran and kept at track on activities of Shiv Sainiks.