A day later i.e. on Saturday (April 30, 2022), a big action took place in the case of violent clash that took place on Friday in Patiala, Punjab. The AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann transferred three police officers, including the IG-SSP.
On the instructions of the CM, the Inspector General of Police (Patiala Range), Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala and Superintendent of Police have been transferred. A spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office told news agency PTI that Mukhwinder Singh Chinna has been appointed as the new IG of Patiala range, while Deepak Pareek will be the new Senior Superintendent of Police of Patiala. Wazir Singh has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Police, Patiala.
At the same time, in order to avoid further tension in the area, internet services have also been banned for the time being. According to the state’s home department, mobile internet services were temporarily suspended in Patiala from 9:30 am to 6 pm on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Hindu organizations called a bandh on Saturday to protest against what happened in Patiala on Friday. During the demonstration outside Shri Kali Devi temple, the president of one of the Hinduist organizations Shiv Sena Hindustan told news agency ANI – Hindus of Punjab are ready to protest. The administration should not underestimate us on the basis of the number of people united here.
On Friday, four people were injured in clashes and stone-pelting between two groups outside a temple in Patiala. During this, the police had to open fire in the air to bring the situation under control. Local authorities announced a curfew on Friday evening after four persons were injured in clashes between two groups over an “anti-Khalistan march”.
Hours after the incident, the police arrested Harish Singla, the “executive president” of a group called “Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray)” for taking out a procession without permission and inciting violence. The clash took place outside the Kali Mata temple when Singla’s group had started the “Khalistan Murdabad March” from the nearby Arya Samaj Chowk.
According to officials, some Sikh activists, including Nihangs (who had initially gathered at the Dukh Nivaran Sahib Gurdwara) moved towards the temple and some of them waved swords. He told that even his procession was not allowed by the authorities. Both the groups came face to face near the temple and pelted stones at each other. The doors of the temple were hurriedly closed and a large number of policemen were deployed to prevent the violence from spreading in the city.