J A L A N D H A R    E D I T I O N

Namdhari factions try to wrest control of gurdwara
Batala, May 20
Tension gripped the steel city this evening when scores of followers of the Nadharai sect tried to wrest control over a religious place, Namdhari Dharamshala, situated on the Batala-Kahnuwan road. The death of the head of Namdharis sect, Satguru Ram Singh, has divided the group into two factions. One group is led by Thakur Udhey Singh and the other by Thakur Dalip Singh. They both are trying to take possession of various properties owned by the sect. The followers of Thakur Dalip Singh had conducted a religious programme at the Jassa Singh Ramgharia Hall today while the common kitchen (langar) was being run at the Namdhari Sect community hall at Kahnuwan road. Followers of Thakur Udhey Singh locked the community hall following which there was a simmering tension between the two factions. President of Namdhari Community Hall Joginder Singh, who owes allegiance to Thakur Dalip Singh, said the property of the community hall was purchased by him in 1975-76 and he along with other disciples had built the hall on the now 'disputed' piece of land on Kahnuwan road. The Civil Lines police led by DSP (City) Manwinder Singh rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the followers but to no avail. 

Congmen hold protest against MLA
Pathankot, May 20
Congress leaders of Pathankot and Bhoa Vidhan Sabha seats staged a protest at the Fohwra Kalan town against the alleged highhandedness of Bhoa MLA Seema Devi against some poll officials in yesterday's zila parishad elections.