Sikhs burn effigy of controversial sect leader in Amritsar during Punjab bandh
Amritsar: Supporting the call to observe closure across Punjab, thousands of activists of various Sikhs organizations set ablaze effigy of Ashutosh Maharaj, the controversial sect
leader, who heads the Nurmahal-based (near Jalandhar) Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan, on Monday. Holding placard in their hands, activists raised slogans against Dera
chief and the Punjab Government. It is pertinent to mention that the call for
closure was given by the radical Sikh outfits to intensify general protest against
the killing of Darshan Singh, a demonstrator in alleged police firing in Ludhiana
. Several educational institutions including the local market remain closed on
Monday. However, the essential services were kept outside the purview of the Bandh.
Mohkam Singh, convener Khalsa Action committee alleged Punjab government for the
killing of Darshan Singh at Ludhiana . He warned that if government failed to
arrest the culprits, responsible for the killing of Darshan Singh, they would
intensify their protest. Sikh protestors during were headed to disrupt a religious
and spiritual conference of Ashutosh Maharaj.
