With Punjab on the boil, over 40 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the State and in neighbouring Haryana following clashes between various Sikh organizations and the followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS).
Amritsar, May 18 : With Punjab on the boil, over 40 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the State and in neighbouring Haryana following clashes between various Sikh organizations and the followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS).
Companies of the Rapid Action Force, the Central Reserve Police Force and the Border Security Force have been deployed in sensitive areas after Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal sought 5,000 of central force personnel.
Badal blamed the opposition Congress Party for causing the unrest in the State.
Dera Sacha Sauda protestors are reportedly protesting at Sirsa in Haryana. They are demanding President's rule in Punjab.
According to sources, the Haryana Government has sealed its border with Punjab at Dabwali to prevent Dera supporters from crossing over into Punjab.
Meanwhile, the Akali protesters have blocked the Jammu-Pathankot Highway.
Advisories have been issued to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Badal to keep the security forces on alert.
The situation became tense after Sikh congregations called by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) and Akal Takht yesterday decided on a social boycott of the Dera Sacha Sauda and gave the State Government three days to arrest Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh for hurting their sentiments.
The Dera Sacha Sauda had published an advertisement depicting their leader Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh in clothes similar to that worn by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.
In the clashes between Sikhs and the followers of Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, one person was killed and dozens of others, including policemen were injured.
ANI