Bandh call by Sant Samaj against Dabwali incident

Chandigarh, Jul 19 (UNI) The Sant Samaj, a conglomeration of various Sikh religious and political organisations today gave a call for a Punjab and Haryana bandh on July 23 to protest the killing of a Sikh by followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda at Dabwali yesterday.

This decision was taken at a meeting of the leaders of the Sant Samaj held here.

Later talking to mediapersons, Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhuma said that the meeting demanded the immediate arrest of Dera head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh and a ban on all his activities. The meeting demanded the withdrawl of the security of the Dera chief who was facing trial in a CBI court in Ambala on rape and murder charges.

The meeting alleged that the Punjab and Haryana governments were adopting a 'soft' attitude in dealing with the Dera head.

The leaders of the Sant Samaj decided that they would attend the 'bhog' ceremony of the Sikh killed in Dabwali yesterday. The 'bhog' would be held at Dabwali on July 27.

Bhai Dhuma stated that the next meeting of the Sant Samaj has been convened for July 30 during which the next line of action to be adopted against the Dera chief would be taken.

UNI HS BP1711