Patiala Hindu-Sikh Clash Live Updates: A fierce clash broke out between the Shiv Sena and Khalistan supporters near the Kali Devi temple in Patiala, Punjab today around 12 PM.
During this, stones were pelted from both sides and swords were also waved on the spot. Police reached the spot after the emergency incident and a large number of police forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
According to the information received, stones and swords were pelted in a clash between two groups on Friday near Kali Mata Temple in Patiala, Punjab.
The incident took place when Shiv Sena was marching against Khalistani groups in Patiala. During the rally, members of the Sikh organization and Shiv Sena clashed with each other. Many in the crowd also raised slogans, which escalated the tension in the area.
During the rally, the tension between the two sides increased so much that the police team had to fire in the air to handle the situation. Many people have also been injured during this.
The situation is tense at the moment, but the help of the police has helped in maintaining peace.
Protestors arguing with Police: noon IST
The video, several videos of the protesters arguing with the police are coming out on social media. In which a section of people can be seen waving swords in the air and raising slogans.
As the situation escalated, some people even argued with the police personnel. In the video, a man is standing on top of a building near a temple and throwing stones.
Bhagwant Mann Responding: 02:17 PM IST
The incident was very unfortunate: Bhagwant Mann Responding to the incident in Patiala, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that he has spoken to the GP, and peace has been restored in the area.
He tweeted, "The incident of clash in Patiala is extremely unfortunate. I spoke to the DGP, peace has been restored in the area. We are closely monitoring the situation and will not allow anyone to create disturbance in the state." The peace and harmony of Punjab are of utmost importance.
But the opposition parties have held the Aam Aadmi Party government responsible for the Patiala incident.
BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla has tweeted that will Kejriwal hold the Center responsible for what happened in Patiala?
He wrote, "Absolute chaos in the border state. The worst kind of appeasement is visible in the state. Anarchists are roaming freely.
Also Read: Patiala Violence: Hindu-Sikh organisations clashed near Kali Devi Mandir; Mann says 'Peace Restored'
Your government is using the state police to quell personal enmity, while they should ensure a law and order situation in the state. Congress leader Jaiveer Shergill has also expressed concern over the law and order situation in Patiala and blamed the Aam Aadmi Party government for it.
He has written that instead of making Arvind Kejriwal happy, the CM of Punjab should focus on running Punjab in a better way.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has also expressed concern over the clash between the two factions in Patiala. He wrote on Twitter- "People of Patiala are peace-loving and I appeal to them not to indulge in the provocation.
They have expressed hope that Punjab Police will take strict action in this matter and ensure that law and order situation is maintained."
Rahul Gandhi appeals: 05:13 PM IST
In the aftermath of the clashes, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed his concern, calling the visuals pertaining to the incident, disturbing. Taking to Twitter, the former Congress chief urged the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration to maintain peace in the sensitive border state and asserted that Punjab was not a place to 'carry out experiments'.
Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney called for peace and urged people not to pay heed to rumours. Sakshi Sawhney said, "The district administration appeals to all brothers and sisters of Patiala and Punjab to maintain peace and brotherhood."
Sakshi Sawhney said, "The current situation is under control and is being monitored continuously. All measures are being taken to ensure peace and harmony.
Everyone is requested not to believe in unfounded news/social media and follow their -Come back to your homes, to your places of stay."
Calling for dialogue between the two groups to resolve the dispute, Sakshi Sawhney said, "Peace and harmony are the core of all our religions, so even if there is a dispute or misunderstanding, it is important to resolve it through dialogue.
According to the information, the curfew will remain in force in Patiala city from 7 pm to 6 am today.
Regarding this incident of clashes in Patiala, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh has said that four people have been injured in the violence during the anti-Khalistan march. He said that two policemen were also among the injured.
According to the SSP of Patiala, along with an inspector and a head constable of Punjab Police, one person each from both sides has been injured in this incident of violence.
On the Patiala incident, Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted, 'Punjabi is bound by the teachings of universal brotherhood and unity of our Guru. No anti-social element should be allowed to create division in our society.
The Patiala incident happened due to the blatant failure of the Punjab government to anticipate and control the crowd. Responsibility should be fixed.