Protesting against the alleged desecration of holy book in Faridkot district, Bahujan Samaj Party activists today burnt the effigy of Punjab government here.
The protesters also burnt an effigy of Punjab police for government's alleged failure to prevent the desecration and the police "high-handedness" on the protesting Sikhs in Behal Kalan village in Kotkapura where two youths were killed in police firing and several injured.
Led by BSP's former state General Secretary Jarnail Nangal, protesters began a march from Ambedkar Park in local Hargobindnagar, converged on National highway 1 and burnt the effigies, police said.
Shouting slogans against government and police, Phagwara Block BSP activists resumed their protest march and reached Tehsil complex and held a rally.
Addressing it, Jarnail Nagal said that holy Guru Granth Sahib belonged to entire mankind as it preached cosmic harmony, amity, universal brotherhood and egalitarian casteless social order.
Flaying the sacrilege, Nangal said it had hurt the sentiments of one and all, including the Sikh community.
They submitted a memorandum to Naib-Tehsildar Manbir Singh Dhillon, demanding .
Addressed to Punjab CM and DGP, they demanded through the memorandum Rs 25 lakh compensation to each of the families of two youths killed in police firing, government job to their one family member and suspension of cops who had opened fire on peaceful protesters.
They also demanded Rs 2 lakh compensation to each of the injured protesters and their free treatment.
They demanded immediate arrest of the desecraters and deterrent punishment to them so that such a horrendous crime against 'humanity' did not recur.
Locals had erupted into protest after torn pages of the Sikh holy book were found at Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village of Faridkot on June 1. It was claimed that the holy book was stolen from a gurdwara.
