Amritsar/ Chandigarh: Punjab shutdown call made by Bhai Dhyan Singh Mand, who was declared to be ‘Jathedar’ of the Akal Takht Sahib by the organisers of the Sarbat Khalsa 2015 did not evoke much response amidst reports of arrests and detentions of the members of the Sikh groups who had supported the band call.
As per media reports the business establishments and educational institutions in many other parts of the state remained open while road and rail traffic also remained normal.
Last week, Bhai Dhian Singh Mand had called for a shutdown to protest “hegemony, autocratic and anti-Panthic attitude” of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s government. SAD (A) President Simranjit Singh Mann had also supported the shutdown.
Reports also said police detained Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) activists in several places, including Fatehgarh Sahib, to foil the shut down call.
Sikh activists block roads at Tarn Taran:
As per information Sikh activists led by Bhai Balwant Singh Gopala of the Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwale blocked road traffic at Tarn Taran to Bathinda road in wake of Punjab shut down call today.
Police deployment at the spot of dharna
Sikh activists block Amritsar-Bathinda national highway at chowk Rasoolpur Nehran, 4 km from Tarn Taran