Haryana SGPC members clash with police in Kurukshetra

Tension prevailed in a part of Kurukshetra town in Haryana as members of the newly-created Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC) Wednesday clashed with police near a gurdwara in a takeover bid.

Police said eight people were injured in the clash.

The protestors tried to break through police barricades and move towards gurdwara Chhenvi Pathshahi - dedicated to Guru Hargobind Singh, the sixth guru of the Sikhs - in the historical town, 110 km from here.

HSGPC senior vice president Didar Singh Nalvi claimed the committee had taken charge of the historical Guhla Cheeka Gurdwara in Kaintal Wednesday.

In Kurukshetra, the protestors hurled stones at police and damaged a fire tender at the spot. They tried to damage other vehicles too.

Police retaliated with water cannons and cane-charged the protestors to stop them from moving towards the gurdwara.

Some protestors, policemen and media persons were also injured in the clash.

The HSGPC members could be seen brandishing swords and sticks.

They had laid siege near the gurdwara since last Saturday in a bid to take control of the shrine from the managers of the Amritsar-based Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).