Jalandhar, April 14
Former Akali leader from Dasuya Jagdish Singh Sohi’s turban was allegedly removed by Dasuya circle SAD leader Jagmohan Singh Ghuman Babbu’s son Varinder Iqbal Singh and his associates in the presence of Additional SHO SI Resham Singh at Dausya police station in Hoshiarpur district on Wednesday.

Sohi alleged that he and some other persons who accompanied him to the police station were beaten by Varinder and his associates in the police station as he had joined former Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal’s People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) a few days ago.

Sohi said he along with two-three other persons and Varinder with his several supporters had gathered at Dasuya police station on Wednesday after a tiff at his Dasuya gas agency with Varinder on Tuesday.

The proprietor of the gas agency, Sohi, said though the police had registered an FIR against Varinder and his men under Sections 295 A, 148, 149 and 506 A of the IPC, but no accused was arrested so far.

When contacted, Dasuya SHO Balbir Singh told The Tribune that SI Reshan Singh was already shifted to the Police Lines as Sohi’s turban was removed in his presence. Hoshiarpur SSP Rakesh Agarwal also ordered a departmental inquiry into the charges against him, he added.

To a query, he said the police would soon arrest the accused for removing the turban. At the same time, he said an FIR had also been registered against Sohi under the SC/ST Act for using casteist remarks against a Balmik, he added.

Jalandhar, April 14
The singing of religious hymns, poetry sessions and kathas on the installation of Khalsa Panth marked Baisakhi celebrations in all gurdwaras here.

The day-long programmes began with the bhog of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, followed by path of Sukhmani Sahib. Ragi jathas performed kirtan, followed by langars.

Besides, simple dal-roti-sabzi, sweet yellow rice and jalebis were distributed among all. Programmes were also held in the evening in all gurdwaras, including those in Chowk Rainak Bazaar, Defence Colony, Model Town and Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar.

Phagwara: Baisakhi was celeberated with fervour and enthusiasm in Phagwara, Goraya, Phillaur, Apra, Bilga and Noormahal on Thursday.

Thousands of devotees took holy dip in different rivers, canals and sarovars, including Sutlej in Phillaur. Several devotees visited nearby mandirs and gurdwaras to pay obeisance and hear kirtan and bhajans. Langars were organised by religious organisations.

Pathankot: Baisakhi was celebrated with enthusiasm here today. Hundreds of devotees took a holy dip at Gurudwara Barth Sahib about 10 km from here, on the Pathankot-Gurdaspur road.

A Baisakhi mela was also held at Gandhi Chowk. Punjabi folk songs and fusion of gidha and bhangra marked the Baisakhi celebrations at Sai Institutes, Badhani in Dhar block on the Pathankot-Dunera road.

Hoshiarpur: Thousands of people thronged Dera Bab Charan Shah on the occasion of Baisakhi today. A big fair was held at the dera in which people, especially women and children, participated. Annual congregation at Manavta Mandir was held to mark the occasion. Free langars (community kitchen) were organised by various NGOs.

Hoshiarpur, April 14
Following a dispute over the replacement of the Nishan Sahib (flag post) in Ravidass Gurdwara, Dansiwal, local Sikh leaders, including Sant Baba Charanjit Singh Jasowal, district president of the SAD Surinder Singh Bhulewal Rathan, Iqbal Singh Khera, Harjit Singh and others, shifted Guru Granth Sahib and its four “swarups” from Ravidass Gurdwara to Gurdwara Shaheedan of the village this afternoon.

It may be recalled that a dispute over the Nishan Sahib had been going on between members of the Dalit community and Sikh community since February 18, 2011. The Dalit community had installed a Nishan Sahib of “Hari” in place of “Khanda” in Ravidass Gurdwara on February 18. The district administration had deployed security in the gurdwara to avert any untoward incident.

Village sarpanch Lakhbir Singh along with some others today came to the gurdwara and attempted to replace the Nishan Sahib of “Hari” with that of “Khanda”, but were stopped by the security guards deployed by the district administration. When the security guards objected to changing the Nishan Sahib, Lakhbir Singh and his supporters allegedly assaulted them. To scare Lakhbir Singh and his supporters, head constable fired in the air.

On receiving information, Deputy Commissioner Dharam Dutt Tarnach, SSP Rakesh Aggarwal along with SDM, Hoshiarpur, Karnail Singh and other officials rushed to the spot to avert any mishap and defuse the tense situation there.

Meanwhile, Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, S.R. Lidhar and DIG, Jalandhar Range, Lok Nath Angra also reached Mahilpur and talked to the parties to defuse the situation.

Surinder Singh Bhulewal Rathan said the shifting of Guru Granth Sahib and its four “swarups” from Gurdwara Ravidass to Gurdwara Shaheedan was done to maintain their dignity and respect.

Despite various attempts no official concerned could be contacted for comments on the incident.

Hoshiarpur, April 14
Two youths were feared drowned in the Beas while taking holy dip on Baisakhi at Talli village today.

According to police sources, Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, son of Babu Singh, and Balwinder Singh, son of Shingara Singh, of Talli village were feared drowned in the Beas today. Both went to the Beas, flowing adjoining to the village, to have a holy dip in it on the occasion of Baisakhi.

As soon as both entered the river water, they were washed away by a strong current. Divers were called to locate them. But they could not be found till the filing of the news report. — OC