Sikhs intensify protest against Dera Sacha Sauda sect, block trains in Punjab

Amritsar, June 25 : A large number of Sikhs, protesting against the Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, blocked several trains in Punjab today.

The Amritsar-Delhi Shatabdi and the Sach Khand Express, the Abha Tufan, the Abohar-Haridwar Express and the intercity between Abohar and Ganganagar were held up by protestors at the Amritsar and Abohar railway stations.

Sikhs have been protesting against the killing of a man in Mumbai allegedly by the security guards of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The protesters warned that things could get out of control if no action is taken against the Dera chief.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal demanded that the Maharashtra Government immediately arrest Ram Rahim Singh.

Maharashtra Police have already arrested three persons in connection with the killing of the Sikh.

Relations between the followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect and other Sikhs have been strained for nearly a year now, after Ram Rahim Singh sparked off a huge uproar by allegedly imitating the last Sikh guru-- Guru Gobind Singh.

The move enraged the Sikh community so much that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had to tender an apology, saying he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of Sikhs. The Sikh clerics, however, rejected his apology.

ANI