Sikh body blocks rail traffic in Punjab

Chandigarh, Jun 25: Activists of Damdami Taksal and other Sikh organisations today blocked rail traffic at various places in Punjab, demanding the arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The 'Rail roko' call was given by the Damdami Taksal following the killing of a member of the Sikh community by the security guard of Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh in Mumbai recently evoking strong protests in Punjab and elsewhere. Shouting slogans activists blocked the train traffic by squatting on the track near the railway stations.

Passenger trains were stopped at the railway stations in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Ferozepur, Mansa, Bhatinda and Rampura Phull while seven trains were cancelled in Amritsar. Traffic on the Delhi-Bhatinda-Ferozepur section was totally disrupted, reports received here said. However, there was no report of any damage caused to the railway property.

Trains that were stopped included Shatabadi Express, Superfast Express, Sachkhand Express, Dadar Express, Jammu Express, Chattisgarh Express and Moori Express. Ferozepur-Mumbai Express was stranded at Mansa and Ferozepur-Delhi express train at Ferozepur. Demosntrations were held at some places in Ludhiana where the activists burnt the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in effigy. They also blocked Ludhiana-Chandigarh road.

UNI