Mumbai firing: three arrested, protests in Mumbai, Sirsa

Mumbai/Sirsa, Jun 21 (UNI) Three people, including the bodyguard of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the spiritual leader of the Dera Sachcha Sauda sect, were arrested by the Raigarh police in Maharashtra late last night for allegedly firing at Sikh protesters even as angry demonstrators pelted stones at trains on Central Railways main line.

In Dera's hometown Sirsa, hundreds of Sikh protesters blocked the Delhi-Fazilka highway (NH-10) near Sahuwala village in Dabwali sub-division of Sirsa district of Haryana today, demanding registration of a case against Ram Rahim Singh.

The three accused are Jaidev Singh Gurusingh (30), the bodyguard of Ram Rahim Singh, who had allegedly fired; Satnam Singh Arora (34) and Rajkumar Bhishmalal Taneja (39) (all hailing from Haryana).

The trio were arrested by the Raigarh police late last night while they were on their way to Uttar Pradesh and booked under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). They were today remanded in police custody till July 2.

The firing took place when a group of Sikhs were protesting against Ram Rahim Singh at Nirmal Lifestyle Mall in Mulund where he had come to attend a programme, killing one and injuring two others.

In the aftermath of the incident, Central Railway (CR) main line trains were halted today following stone pelting and ransacking incidents at Mulund Railway station by Sikh community protesting yesterday's happening.

Railway Control Room sources said all the trains on the main line of CR were stopped following heavy stone pelting at Mulund Railway station. Heavy police protection were made at the station.

However, local trains from harbour line of CR and Western Railway were running as per the schedule.

The mob had ransacked the stalls and furniture at the station.

Few people ransacked the Mulund railway station and some forcibly shut down shops in the eastern suburb.

A group of the community also peacefully protested outside Mulund Police station.

Most of the educational institutes being run by the Sikh community will remain closed today.

The protestors in Sirsa, who were also demanding withdrawal of 'Z' security provided to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, blocked the highway since morning by squatting on the road.

Negotiations were on with the protestors to remove the blockade.

Adequate police force has been deployed at the site. Additional police force has reached Sirsa to rush to the spot.

The Sub-divisional Magistrate, Sirsa, and the Additional Superintendent of Police have rushed to the site of blockade.

The situation was described as tense but under control.

Security has been stepped up at the headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa.

Ram Rahim Singh is expected to reach the Dera this evening from Mumbai.

UNI team AKJ RR KP1615