INDIA. Punjab: On Friday, two groups clashed near the Kali Mata temple in Patiala, Punjab, hurling stones and brandishing swords. The event occurred in Patiala while the Shiv Sena was marching against Khalistani organisations.
Harish Singla, the working president of the Punjab Shiv Sena, led the gathering.
During the event, members of various Sikh organisations and the Shiv Sena battled, with numerous persons in the crowd raising slogans. Shiv Sainiks chanted “Khalistan Murdabad” slogans.
Following this, several Sikh organisations took to the streets with swords in hand. As both parties began pelting stones at each other, the situation became tense.
Several videos of the incident have surfaced on social media, showing a group of individuals wielding swords and yelling slogans. As the situation became tenser, several people began to dispute with police officers.
Another video showed a man throwing stones atop a building near a shrine, with heavy noise in the background.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responded to the event by saying he spoke with the Director-General of Police (DGP) and that calm had been restored in the area.
“The incident of clashes in Patiala is 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,” Bhagwant Mann said.
Sakshi Sawhney, Patiala’s Deputy Commissioner, cautioned people not to “fall prey to unfounded reports.”
Sawhney remarked, “The District Administration appeals to all brothers and sisters of Patiala and Punjab to promote peace and brotherhood.”
“The current situation has been brought under control and is being closely monitored. Every effort is being made to maintain peace and harmony,” Sawhney expressed her thoughts.
“All are requested to not fall prey to unsubstantiated news/ social media forwards and return to their respective homes, places of stay,” Sawhney said.
Additionally, she also called for dialogue between the two groups to solve the dispute. “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,” she added.
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