Sikhs hold protests in Valley

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 5

Several Sikh groups staged protests across the Valley today against the killing of a youth in the Jammu region yesterday.

They gathered outside the office of the Gurdwara Singh Sabha at Lal Chowk and raised slogans against the Jammu police while demanding strict action against those involved in the killing of a youth.

“We condemn the atrocities on minorities and strict action should be taken against the police personnel responsible for the killing,” said All India Sikh Students Federation, J&K Chapter, general secretary Bikram Singh Pappa.

Members of the Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Srinagar and other Sikh groups also took part in the protest.

Sikhs also staged a protest at the Press Enclave. A few protesters were taken into preventive custody after they tried to disrupt traffic at Lal Chowk.

A youth was killed in Jammu yesterday during protests against removal of a poster having a picture of late militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

The All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) demanded a judicial probe into the incident and immediate suspension of the police officials concerned. APSCC chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said the members of the community were “busy in a purely religious function” in Jammu which was objected to by the police. He alleged that the police officials “worked under the influence and directions of some hardcore elements which were part of the government”.

Reports reaching here said the Sikhs also staged protests at Baramulla in north Kashmir and Tral in south Kashmir. Sikh youth wearing Bhindrawala T-shirts tried to block the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Awantipora, but their bid was foiled by the police.

Meanwhile, opposition National Conference too condemned the killing and “insensitive handling” of the situation in Jammu. The NC demanded a thorough and time-bound probe into this death and also into the circumstances leading to the clashes.

Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani termed the killing “worst kind of state terrorism”. “Protests happen everywhere in the world and to protest is the right of every person, but Jammu & Kashmir is the only unfortunate region of the world where the protests are silenced with bullets and atrocities,” Geelani said.