Phagwara clashes: Security of 6 leaders downsized

Phagwara, Jul 28: Security of six leaders belonging to ring-wing outfits was scaled down over their alleged participation in wake of last Friday's communal clashes, police said today.

Eight out of 12 gunmen, provided to right-wing leaders Inderjit Karwal, Gurdip Saini, Rajesh Palta, Munish Sood, Vipin Kumar and Shiv Batta, were withdrawn yesterday, they said.

The security cover of these leaders was stripped after prominent citizens, who took part in Tuesday's All-party 'Sadbhavna' Committee meeting here, alleged that leaders of the said community were misusing their gunmen.

The meeting was chaired by local MLA & Chief Parliament Secretary Som Parkash. It was also attended by Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Jaskiran Singh and SSP Rajinder Singh, besides other prominent citizens.

District administration reviewed the security cover provided to the leaders of the community, following which it was downsized, police said, adding, the security of other leaders is also being reviewed.

Meanwhile, an uneasy calm prevailed in town with heavy deployment of police and Rapid Action Force still in place after the violent clashes that had left a dozen persons injured in stone-pelting, brickbatting and throwing of empty bottles.

DSP Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal was suspended while SP Ajinder Singh was transferred for their mishandling of situation on Friday.

PTI