Jathedar demands stern steps to tackle communal violence

Amritsar, Jul 18 (UNI) Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vidanti today condemned the clash in Dabwali town of Haryana and demanded that the Central and state governments of Punjab and Haryana take stern steps to check such violent happenings.

The Jathedar who had last year called for a ban on all religious activities of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda condoled the death of Sukhminder Singh, a member of the Dabwali based Sikh group, who was killed in the clash with Dera supporters this morning.

The Jathedar appealed to the Sikh community to maintaing peace and harmony at all costs.

Meanwhile, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandik Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh Makkar in a statement here called for the immediate arrest of Dera head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, holding him responsible for the incident. He also pointed out that the Dera head was facinf trial in a CBI court in Ambala on charges of rape and murder.

Damdamdi Taksal head Harnam Singh Duma and Akali Dal (Amritsar) leader Ram Singh also demanded the arrest of the Dera chief.

UNI XC-HS AM UCS2204