Shiv Sena (H) chief, SAD (Amritsar) activists held

Chandigarh, Dec 12 (UNI) The Punjab Police today rounded up Shiv Sena (Hindustan) president Pawan Goel and several of his supporters as a preventive measure ahead of their proposed state wide agitation on December 14.

According to official reports Pawan Goel along with 12 others were taken into custody from Patiala while around 100 Shiv Sena acivists have been arrested in the state in connection with the agitation to protest against the installation of slain Damdami Taksal chief Jarnail Singh Bhinderwale's potrait in the Sikh History Museum in the Golden Temple complex by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandik Committee (SGPC).

Around 300 supporters of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) were also taken into custody in the state after the party president Simranjit Singh Mann gave a call to observe December 14 as 'Fateh Divas'' (victory day). The party had been demanding the installation of Bhinderwale's potrait in the Museum and after its installation the party gave a call to observe 'Fateh Divas.' The Shiv Sena (Hindustan) then gave a call for countering the proposed 'Fateh Divas' of SAD (Amritsar).

SAD (Amritsar) general secretary Ram Singh claimed that over 600 activists of the party had been arrested in the state. He claimed that raids were continuing to nab party workers and a number of senior leaders including Mr Mann had ''gone into hidding'' to avoid being picked up by the cops.

State DGP N P S Aulakh has directed all district police chiefs to remain vigilant in the next few days and take all steps to ensure peace. The preventive arrests were ordered following fears that Shiv Sena and SAD (Amritsar) activists could clash on the day of the agitation.

UNI