5 hurt in clash over renaming roundabout after Ambedkar

Hindustan Times, Phagwara | ByJatinder Mahal

Apr 15, 2018 09:50 AM IST

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Following the clash, mobile internet and SMS services have been suspended in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Nawanshehr (SBS Nagar) districts of Punjab for the next 24 hours.

Tension prevailed in Phagwara on Saturday following a Friday night clash between two groups over renaming a roundabout (chowk) after Dalit icon Dr BR Ambedkar.

Police personnel taking out a march in Phagwara after a clash between Dalit and right-wing Hindu groups, on Saturday.(HT Photo)

Mobile net, SMS suspended in 4 Punjab districts for 24 hrs

Mobile internet and SMS services have been suspended in Jalandhar , Hoshiarpur , Kapurthala and Nawanshehr ( SBS Nagar) districts of Punjab for the next 24 hours.

The decision has been taken keeping in view the tension following clashes between Dalits and right wing organisations at Phagwara.

Five people were injured and around 100 people, including 33 by name, were booked under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 295A (hurting religious sentiments), 392 (robbery), 353 (assault), 186, 427, 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Arms Act and National Highways Act. Those booked included Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) leader Jarnail Nangal and his son, senior state vice-president of Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) Inderjit Karwal and Shiv Sena leader Shivi Batta.

The trouble started around 11pm on Friday night when members of Dalit groups put up Ambedkar’s banner at Goal Chowk, demanding naming it as Savidhan Chowk. This was opposed by members of a Hindu right-wing organisation. Some shots were also fired during the clash, police said.

On Saturday morning, Punjab Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Palta was allegedly attacked by members of a Dalit group. When police reached the spot to rescue him, the group pelted them with stones and also damaged their vehicle near Valmiki Chowk in the Subash Nagar locality of the town.

Following clashes, security has been tightened across Phagwara. (HT Photo)

Following this, authorities suspended mobile internet services in Doaba , comprising Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts, for the next 24 hours. Heavy police force remained deployed across the city and shopkeepers kept their establishments closed. The Delhi-Lahore bus was diverted from Kartarpur and Phillaur. Even vehicular traffic between Ludhiana and Jalandhar was diverted via link roads.

Later in the day, members of various Hindu organisations and the General Samaj Manch gathered at a local temple and demanded registration of case against members of the Dalit organisations. They also demanded transfer of SDM Jyoti Bala and SP Parminder Singh.

Taking serious note of the clash, CM Captain Amarinder Singh said that culprits would not be speared. “Will not allow Punjab’s peace to be destroyed at any cost. The government will bear all expenses for treatment of all those injured in the incident.”