Friday, 8 February 2008

Sikhs arrested before protest


Bittu held, ex-envoy Khalsa under house arrest
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 7
Three days before proposed march by the Khalsa Action Committee to Salbatpoora against Dera Sacha Sauda head, the Punjab Police in an early morning swoop today arrested radical leader Daljit Singh Bittu from Ludhiana besides putting Harinder Singh Khalsa, former ambassador to Norway and ex-chairman, National SC-ST Commission, under house arrest at his residence in Barrewal here.

Several other leaders and activists of the Khalsa Action Committee were also arrested and sent to jail in judicial custody. Bittu was sent to jail till February 14.

Police officials said action had been taken against them apprehending law and order problem due to the scheduled march to Salabatpoora.

SSP R. K. Jaiswal said he had been arrested under Section 107/,151 of the Cr PC. Others taken into custody were Darshan Singh, general secretary-SAD(Amritsar) (Panch Pradhani), Hardeep Singh , Palwinder Singh, Harpal Singh Cheema.

Harinder Singh Khalsa said he was put under house arrest after he refused to accompany a police team that knocked at his door early today.

He said the march was peaceful aiming at urging the Punjab government to ban entry of the Dera head into Punjab. However, the police action had proved the Badal government was helping growth of such deras.

Frontline Comments

They dont let or like it when Sikhs do peaceful protests for their rights, but moan when they pick up arms and take things into their own hands. Double standards!!