Curfew was imposed in Punjab’s Patiala district on Friday after a clash broke out between different groups of people amid a confrontation surrounding the holding of a foot march in the city against the pro-‘Khalistan’ movement attempt.
Four persons, including two police personnel, were injured in the incident, in which people from different groups hurled stones at one another and brandished swords near the ‘Kali Mata’ temple of the city. The situation was brought under control after police intervention.
A source in the administration told The Hindu that the Shiv Sena (Bal Thakrey) had sought permission to hold a march in the city against the backdrop of the announcement by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) to mark the foundation day of Khalistan on April 29. The permission was, however, denied by the administration. In reaction to the Shiv Sena’s idea to hold the march, a group of ‘Khalistan’ sympathisers had announced to hold a countermarch.
