Supporters of Badal, Mann clash again

Ludhiana, July 9 (UNI) The activists of Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) of Simranjit Singh Mann today clashed again outside the Circuit House here after the July two episode at the Akal Takht.

At least seven activists of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) were injured in the clash which occurred amidst the presence of SAD president Parkash Singh Badal and BJP leader Arun Jaitley inside the Circuit House.

The trouble began when about 50 supporters of Mr Mann, carrying black flags raised anti-Badal slogans reached the Circuit House, where Mr Badal and Mr Jaitley had just finished a joint press conference.

While the police stood as mere spectators, the SAD activists in heavy majority, led by SGPC member Balwinder Bains, beat Mr Mann's supporters with 'lathis', leading to head injuries to many of them.

Besides Mr Badal and Mr Jaitley, other senior leaders of SAD and BJP had come to the Circuit House for a joint meeting in which issues like seat sharing between the two parties and the poll strategy for the February 2007 state assembly elections were discussed.

Prior to today's clash, the two Akali factions had clashed at the Akal Takht in the Golden Temple complex on July two, during the 400th anniversary celebrations of the Akal Takht. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti had then issued a directive, urging the Sikh community to publicly boycott Mr Mann, holding him responsible for the clash.

UNI XC-PS YA KN1525