New Delhi: An eleven-hour curfew has been implemented in the Patiala district of Punjab where two groups clashed on Friday leading to violence that left four injured. The curfew will be in place from 7 pm Friday to 6 am Saturday. Besides, a high-level meeting was also held shortly by CM Bhagwant Mann to discuss the law and order situation in the area. The meeting was attended by the DGP and other senior officials of the Punjab police.
After the high-level meeting was chaired by Mann, Shiv Sena leader Harish Singla has been arrested, in connection with the clash that broke out near Kali Devi Mandir in Patiala today.
The situation arose when two groups, Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) and a group of Sikh activists including some Nihangs clashed outside Kali Mata temple on Friday afternoon.
As one group pelted stones at the other, the other brandished swords, which left four injured including one police personnel.
The Punjab police said that both the groups did not have permission to take out the rally.
“Seeing the problem of law and order here, police have been deployed. We are speaking with Shiv Sena's (one of the two groups) chief Harish Singla as they don't have any permission for the march,” said the DSP.
Patiala Zone Inspector General, Rakesh Aggarwal told ABP News that this incident happened due to some mischievous elements and rumours.
“We are doing a flag march in the city. People are appealed to avoid rumours. Police and civil administration have controlled everything. Tomorrow, a meeting of the Peace Committee has been called. People are requested to maintain peace,” he said.
Meanwhile, soon after the incident CM Mann also responded to the situation and termed the clashes “unfortunate”.
“The incident of clashes in Patiala is deeply unfortunate. I spoke with DGP, and peace has been restored in the area. We're closely monitoring the situation & won't let anyone create disturbance in the State. Punjab’s peace and harmony are of utmost importance,” Mann was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.