Indefinite curfew imposed in Sirsa over Dera-Sikh clash

Dabwali (Haryana), July 18 : An indefinite curfew has been imposed in Dabwali town of Sirsa District today following clashes between a group of Sikhs and Dera Sacha Souda followers.

One person has been killed and three were injured in the clashes.

According to the police, the clashes broke out following a dispute between them during morning prayers of Dera supporters.

Following the clashes, tensions have been prevailing in the area. Additional forces have been deployed to prevent any kind of untoward incident

Last month, one person was killed in firing by a bodyguard of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh during a clash with Sikhs when the sect head had visited Mumbai.

Relations between the followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect and mainstream Sikhs have been soured for almost a year now. Dera chief had sparked a huge uproar by the Sikhs a few months ago when Ram Rahim allegedly tried to imitate the dress and activities of the last Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh.

The move enraged the Sikh community which demanded an apology from him.

Later, Ram Rahim tendered an apology, saying he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the Sikhs, but the Sikh clerics rejected the apology.

ANI