Sikhs stage protests in Valley

Sikh youth staged protests in Valley against the killing of a youth from the community in police firing in Jammu yesterday.

A group of Sikh youth marched from Court Road up to ghanta ghar in city centre. The youth were chanting pro-Khalistan slogans and protested against the killing of a youth in Jammu.

The Sikh youth later also assembled at Press enclave and protested against the killing.

Chanting slogans in favour of Jarnail Singh Bhinranwale and Khalistan, they were carrying posters of Bhindranwale.

“Bhindranwale was leader of the Damdami Taksal and had a big role in imparting religious education among the Sikhs,” the protesters said adding Bhindranwale lives in their hearts.

All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee leader Jagmohan Singh Raina, who lead protests in Srinagar, said Sikhs are observing this day since last three decades and never have been stopped to observe it as it is merely a religious function.

“Bhindranwale is being given a bad name all over the world by tagging him as militant but at Damdami Taksal he used to impart religious education,” he said.

Raina said some unknown forces are trying to disrupt peace and want to push Sikh community to walls.

He demanded a judicial inquiry in the series of events that unfolded and led to the killing of a civilian.

Sikh youth also staged protests in Awantipora, Tral, Anantnag in South Kashmir and Baramulla in North Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Sikh Minority Front (SMF) warned of starting a statewide agitation if government fails to identify and book the police official responsible for killing of a Sikh youth in Jammu.

“Bhindrawale is our leader and we can’t act as mute spectators if someone insults our leader. We fail to understand what India has problems with the photographs and hoardings of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale,” Front president Harjit Singh told a local news gathering agency, CNS.