Uneasy calm in Dabwali after Sikh clashes

Chandigarh, Jul 19 (PTI) Uneasy calm prevailed in
Haryana's Sirsa district and parts of Punjab Saturday even as
curfew remained clamped in Dabwali town following clashes
between followers of Dera Sacha Sauda and Sikhs.

A Sikh youth was killed in the clashes Friday.
The situation in the district and especially in Dabwali town
is "under control," Sirsa Deputy Commissioner V Umashankar
told PTI over phone.

Troops of Haryana Armed Police (H.A.P.), Rapid Action
Force (R.A.F.) and paramilitary force conducted flag marches
in trouble-torn Dabwali town and Sirsa's satellite towns --
Ratia, Ellanabad and Kalianwala -- to instill confidence among
the people.

The warring factions -- the Dera Sacha Sauda, Sikh
organisations, including Shiromani Akali Dal (S.A.D.) and
Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committtee (S.G.P.C.) -- have
appealed to the people for maintaining peace and communal
harmony.

The clashes in Dabwali broke out after an altercation
during morning prayers of Dera supporters.

Meanwhile, Sikhs owning allegiance to Guru Granth
Sahib Satkar Sabha maintained that they would perform the last
rites of the deceased, Harmandar Singh, only if the Dera chief
Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh is arrested.

In neighbouring Punjab, the situation in Bathinda,
Muktsar, Moga and Malout was tense but under control,
officials said here.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal is
expected to reach Dabwali later today, party sources said.