PUNJAB, India—Half day symbolic shut down call in Punjab observed a mixed response due to tight security arrangements by Punjab police. The call for the shut down witnessed huge response in Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ropar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Sangrur and Mohali.
Arrest and Detention of Panthik activists by Punjab police: Punjab police conducted a massive campaign to arrest the Panthik activists from their homes during the midnight of September 29 and September 30 in wake of Punjab Bandh call by Panthik bodies. Some of them were detained in houses, while the police brought away the others to police stations.
Bhai Mohkam Singh, Bhai Gurdeep Singh Bathinda etc. like leaders were detained in their houses under strong security arrangement.
Police have understood to have conducted a raid on Dr. Sharanjit Singh Rataul’s (President, Sikh Youth Front) house at Amritsar but he succeeded in escaping the raid.
Prof. Mohinderpal Singh, Harbhajn Singh Kashmiri, Balwinder Singh and Kuldip Singh Dhanetha of Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar were reportedly taken into custody by Punjab police too.
Lathicharge on Sikh activists in Moga: The police reportedly resorted to lathicharge in Moga when some Sikh activists headed by Sukhwinder Singh Azad were peacefully appealing the shopkeepers to close their shops for half day.
Police took away Sukhwinder Singh Azad and his accompanies and dropped them off at the outskirts of a village in the outskirts.
