Dera followers demand arrest of accused, tension prevails

Tension prevailed in Kotkapura town here after Dera Sacha Sauda followers refused to cremate the body of a sect member who was shot at four days ago and died yesterday at a hospital in Ludhiana.
The followers of the Sirsa-headquartered sect gathered in large number assembled at 'Namcharcha Ghar' here as the news of 31-year-old Gurdev Singh's death spread.
The Dera followers had kept Singh's body in Kotkapura.
Dera's state committee member Mohinder Pal demanded immediate arrest of the accused involved in killing of Singh and threatened to stage protests by blocking traffic after putting the body on the road.

In view of tension prevailing in the village, DIG Ferozepur range has been camping in Kotkapura.
Police officials led by DIG R S Khattra is holding meeting with Dera followers to persuade them not to launch agitation.

They have assured them that the culprit will be arrested soon.
Singh was shot at village Burj Jawahar Singh Wala in Faridkot district on June 13. He died yesterday in DMCH hospital in Ludhiana.
(REOPENS NRG 12)
Meanwhile, DIG Ferozepur, Ranbir Singh Khattra
today held three meetings with Dera followers here.
Dera's state committee member Mohinder Pal claimed police was demanding a week's time to arrest the accused who fired shots at Dera follower Gurdev Singh.

Pal said the committee was not in favour of giving week-long time to police.