Stones Hurled, Swords Brandished As 2 Groups Clash During Shiv Sena Rally In Patial
Stones were hurled and swords were brandished as two groups clashed near Kali Mata temple in Patiala, Punjab on Friday.
The incident happened when the Shiv Sena was carrying out a march, under the supervision of Punjab Shiv Sena working president Harish Singla, against Khalistani groups in Patiala.
Members of a Sikh organisation and that of a Hindu organisation clashed with each other during the rally. Several people from the crowd even raised slogans, escalating tension in the area.
Shiv Sainiks shouted slogans of “Khalistan Murdabad”, following which some members of Sikh organisations took to the streets, wielding swords. The situation became tense as both groups started pelting stones.
Several videos of the incident emerged on social media in which a section of people can been seen brandishing swords and shouting slogans. Some even argued with police personnel as the situation escalated. Watch some of those videos here:
Another video shows a man standing atop a building near a temple and throwing stones as heavy commotion was heard in the backdrop.
SITUATION UNDER CONTROL
Reacting to the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said he “spoke with the DGP, peace has been restored in the area”.
“The incident of clashes in Patiala are deeply unfortunate. I spoke with the DGP, peace has been restored in the area. We are closely monitoring the situation and will not let anyone create disturbance in the State. Punjab’s peace and harmony is of utmost importance,” Minister Bhagwant Mann said.
‘MAINTAIN PEACE AND BROTHERHOOD’
Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney called for peace and urged people “to not fall prey to unsubstantiated news”.
“The District Administration appeals to all brothers and sisters of Patiala and Punjab to continue to maintain peace and brotherhood,” Sakshi Sawhney said.
“The present situation is under control and is being continuously monitored. All measures are being taken to ensure peace and harmony,” Sakshi Sawhney said.
“All are requested to not fall prey to unsubstantiated news/ social media forwards and return to their respective homes, places of stay,” Sakshi Sawhney said.
Calling for dialogue between the two groups to solve the dispute, Sakshi Sawhney said, “Peace and harmony are central to all our religions and their basic ethos. Even if there is any dispute or misunderstanding, it is important to resolve it by dialogue.”