Sikhs clash with Sacha Sauda followers in Punjab

Bathinda, Jul 25 (UNI) A Sikh religious group clashed with Dera Sacha Sauda followers at Sheikpura village near Talwandi Sabo in the district today, police sources here said.

According to the police no one was injured in the clash though a three wheeler belonging to a Dera supporter was set ablaze and two tractors were damaged by members of the Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj, a Sikh religious group.

Giving details, official sources stated that about 30-odd members of the Sikh group attacked followers of the Sacha Sauda who had gathered at the house of Gurmail Singh in connection with the 'bhog' ceremony of his wife who had passed away a few days back. The Dera supporters resisted the attempts of the Sikhs to disrupt the 'bhog' ceremony and locked the house from inside.

The police reached the spot after which the Sikhs dispersed but not before they had set a three wheeler ablaze and damaged two tractors parked ouside the house of Gurmail Singh. The police is expected to registered a case after probing the matter.

Meanwhile in another incident two Shiv Sena members were beaten up by Sacha Sauda followers in the town here today. The two identified as Sonu Sharma and Monu were targeted as they had gone around the town on August 23 asking the shopkeepers to down their shutters in support of the Punjab 'bandh' call given by the 'Sant Samaj' to demand the arrest of Sacha Sauda head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh. So far no arrests had been made in this incident.

UNI XC-HS MMS1809