Sikh activists protest with black flags in Punjab

Hundreds of Sikh activists lined up along highways and roads across Punjab on Tuesday with black flags protesting against recent incidents of desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib.

However, unlike the roadblocks put up by the Sikh activists during protests last month, no roads were blocked on Tuesday.

The activists organised protests in Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Moga and other districts. At most places, the protesters lined up along the highways and other roads with black flags and banners.

They were demanding the arrest of the 'real' culprits behind the incidents of sacrilege of the Sikh holy book in Bargari village in Faridkot district and other similar incidents.

They also demanded action against police officials responsible for firing at protesters in Behbal Kalan village in Moga district last month.

The protest call was given by various radical Sikh organisations.

Two people were killed in police firing in Behbal Kalan village last month and scores of others injured in violence across Punjab as protests erupted over the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Punjab Police, on October 20, claimed that it had arrested the two main accused, brothers Jaswinder Singh and Rupinder Singh, in the Bargari sacrilege case along with five others responsible for other incidents.

Police also claimed "foreign hand" behind the incidents with "evidence of established links and funding" from Australia and Dubai.

However, the police theory was rejected by the hardliners who demanded the release of the brothers. The brothers were finally released on Monday evening.

In a related development, radical Sikh organisations Dal Khalsa and Panch Pardani on Tuesday said they will not allow Akal Takht Jathedar (chief) Gaini Gubachan Singh to address the Sikh Sangat (community) on Bandi Chorr Divas.

The hardliners are seeking dismissal of the Sikh high priests, including the Akal Takht jathedar, for their recent act of announcing pardon for controversial Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.