The Tribune – Sikh leaders appeal for peace in Sirsa

Tribune News Service

Sirsa, November 30. Much to the relief of Sirsa residents and the district authorities, the meeting of Sikh organisations on Saturday’s clash involving followers of Dera Sacha Sauda and forces opposed to the dera went off peacefully today.

Though several hardliner Sikhs like Sant Baljit Singh Daduwal and Sukhwinder Singh Khalsa advocated a tough stand on the issue, the maturity exhibited by Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh of Takht Damdama Sahib who appealed to the residents to maintain peace, helped save the situation.

Several other prominent Sikh leaders like Jagdish Singh Jhinda, president of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Prakash Singh Sahuwala, Baba Pritam Singh and others were at the meeting held in Gurdwara Shri Dashmesh Patshahi here.

Nandgarh demanded that the police should complete investigations in the case registered against followers of the dera for the November 24 violence at the earliest and arrest all the accused. He added that the issue would be taken to the five high priests in case the local people felt they had not been provided justice by the authorities.

While the meeting was in progress at the gurdwara, a youth, allegedly carrying out a reconnaissance on behalf of the dera, was caught by some Sikh youths, thrashed and handed over to the police.

Meanwhile, the authorities today extended the closure of schools, colleges and all other educational institutions for two more days. They will now reopen on December 3.

Deputy Commissioner J Ganesan, the authorities would not allow anyone to take law in their hands.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121201/haryana.htm#3

The Tribune – Anti-dera bodies serve ultimatum

Tribune News Service

Sirsa, November 25. Organisations opposed to the Dera Sacha Sauda have given an ultimatum to the authorities to arrest those responsible for the attack on them by November 30 or face consequences. A meeting of the organisations opposed to the dera was held at Gurdwara Chilla Sahib today.

Sukhwinder Singh Khalsa, president, Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha, who headed the meeting, said they had asked the authorities to arrest the accused by November 30 or they would be forced to take to the streets to seek justice.

Khalsa alleged that besides those mentioned in the FIR for yesterday’s incident, dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was also responsible for the attack.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121126/haryana.htm#3

The Tribune – Curfew in Sirsa as dera followers, opponents clash

Tribune News Service

Sirsa, November 24. A curfew has been imposed in Sirsa town after more than 12 persons were injured in clashes between followers of Dera Sacha Sauda and some anti-dera organisations today. Clashes took place near Balmiki Chowk and Chilla Sahib Gurdwara.

Head priest of Tilokewala Gurdwara Sant Gurmeet Singh, who is also a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), was also injured in the clash.

Seven vehicles, including five motorcycles, were allegedly set on fire by dera followers.

Sirsa DC J Ganesan later imposed curfew in the town. The authorities have appealed to the people to remain indoors.

The two sides involved in the clashes have accused each other of triggering the violence.

Members of Sikh organisations opposed to the dera alleged their members were stopped by dera followers near Balmiki Chowk and beaten up. A dera spokesperson, however, alleged that Sukhwinder Singh Khalsa, president of the Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha, triggered violence by opening fire without any provocation.

Most of the shopkeepers in the area shut down their shops after reports of clashes poured in.

The authorities had been on the alert since morning as dera followers had announced to hold “naam charcha” and some Sikh organisations had given a call to hold protest against it.

The “naam charcha” passed off peacefully amid tight police security in the morning. DC Ganesan and SSP Rajshree Singh went to the gurdwara where some Sikh organisations were holding a meeting and persuaded them not to hold any protest.

However, a scuffle ensued between dera followers and SGPC supporters near Balmiki Chowk after the meeting in the gurdwara was over.

“We received a message that dera followers, who had gathered near Balmiki Chowk, had attacked some persons going towards Rania after attending the meeting in the gurdwara,” said Rajshree Singh.

The DC and the SSP then rushed to the scene of action in an attempt to control the situation. The two warring groups, however, clashed again near Chilla Sahib Gurdwara.

Dera spokesperson Pawan Insan said the clashes began after Khalsa and his followers attacked dera followers and opened fire without any provocation. DC J Ganesan said seven companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) would reach Sirsa by tonight.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121125/main3.htm