M A I N   N E W S

Cops dressed as Nihangs thwart protest
Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 6
Three days ahead of the Punjab Investors Summit in Mohali, the police swooped down on Sikh radical Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa's indefinite fast to press for the release of Sikh youths from various jails across the country even after completing their jail terms. Kurukshetra-based Khalsa, who had been on fast since November 10 in front of Gurdwara Amb Sahib was taken away by the police around 12.15 am last night. He was first taken to the Mohali Civil Hospital in Phase 6 and then shifted to the Ropar Jail.

The police arrived in the garb of a Sikh 'jatha' with officials dressed as Nihangs, holding flags. They first paid obeisance at the gurdwara.

Harpal Singh Cheema, an eyewitness, said: "Khalsa was forcibly taken away in an ambulance even as his supporters tried to intervene, leading to a scuffle.

Mohali SSP Inder Mohan Singh said Khalsa had been arrested as a preventive measure since the authorities apprehended threat to peace.