Barnala (July 18, 2010): Eight Sikhs, who were taken into custody by Barnala Police for opposing activities of Dera Sauda Sirsa, are booked by the police for various charges under IPC and Arms Acts. It is notable that these Sikhs were arrested yesterday by the district police for opposing “naam charcha” activity of dera, which was held at village Thikriwala, near Barnala. Police also resorted to heavy lathi-charge against Sikhs and patronized naam charcha.
As per information received from Barnala arrested persons are charged under sections 353, 341, 186, 148, 149 of Indian Penal Code and Section 25 of Arms Act. Baba Hardeep Singh Mehraj, who rushed to village Thikriwala on receiving the news of incident, informed SikhSiyasat Network that police has registered a false case against Sikh Sangat. Sikhs in large numbers, led by Baba Hardeep Singh Mehraj blocked traffic at Thikriwala chowk (Barnala) for several hours to protest against arrests.
“If the police do not withdraw the case the situation may take aggressive turn, as Sikh sangat would not tolerate police atrocities on Sikhs” said Harpreet Singh, a resident of village Thikriwala.