Sirsa, November 24
A curfew has been imposed in Sirsa town after more than 12 persons were injured in clashes between followers of Dera Sacha Sauda and some anti-dera organisations today. Clashes took place near Balmiki Chowk and Chilla Sahib Gurdwara.

Head priest of Tilokewala Gurdwara Sant Gurmeet Singh, who is also a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), was also injured in the clash.

Seven vehicles, including five motorcycles, were allegedly set on fire by dera followers.

Sirsa DC J Ganesan later imposed curfew in the town. The authorities have appealed to the people to remain indoors.

The two sides involved in the clashes have accused each other of triggering the violence.

Members of Sikh organisations opposed to the dera alleged their members were stopped by dera followers near Balmiki Chowk and beaten up. A dera spokesperson, however, alleged that Sukhwinder Singh Khalsa, president of the Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha, triggered violence by opening fire without any provocation.

Most of the shopkeepers in the area shut down their shops after reports of clashes poured in.

The authorities had been on the alert since morning as dera followers had announced to hold “naam charcha” and some Sikh organisations had given a call to hold protest against it.

The “naam charcha” passed off peacefully amid tight police security in the morning. DC Ganesan and SSP Rajshree Singh went to the gurdwara where some Sikh organisations were holding a meeting and persuaded them not to hold any protest.

However, a scuffle ensued between dera followers and SGPC supporters near Balmiki Chowk after the meeting in the gurdwara was over.

“We received a message that dera followers, who had gathered near Balmiki Chowk, had attacked some persons going towards Rania after attending the meeting in the gurdwara,” said Rajshree Singh.

The DC and the SSP then rushed to the scene of action in an attempt to control the situation. The two warring groups, however, clashed again near Chilla Sahib Gurdwara.

Dera spokesperson Pawan Insan said the clashes began after Khalsa and his followers attacked dera followers and opened fire without any provocation. DC J Ganesan said seven companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) would reach Sirsa by tonight.