Punjab town tense after desecration of holy book

Chandigarh, Oct 13: Hundreds of people protesting the alleged desecration of a 'bir' of holy Guru Granth Sahib clashed with police on Tuesday in Kotkapura town in Faridkot district of Punjab.

Police rounded up nearly 200 protestors but released them later, as Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal urged the people to remain calm.

Tension mounted in Kotkapura area on Monday after over 100 pages of the Sikh holy book were found scattered in a street near a gurdwara in Bargari village, 15 km from Kotkapura.

The holy book was stolen from a gurdwara in June.

Strongly condemning the incident, Badal said nobody would be allowed to disturb the hard-earned peace and communal harmony in the state.

The chief minister cautioned anti-social elements against vitiating the atmosphere and trying to divide society on sectarian lines.

"All those involved in this heinous crime would be dealt with severely as per the law. This sacrilegious act is an unpardonable offence and no one associated with this ghastly crime would be spared at any cost," Badal said.

IANS