Several Sikhs booked by Haryana Police for Dabwali Incident, 3 Arrested.

Dera at Ghookianwali rebuilt under State Patronage
(14 August, 2008)

Sirsa/Fatehabad (Updated on 14 August 2008) Following so-called investigation into the clash between Dera Sacha Sauda followers and Sikhs at Dabwali, the police has arrested three Sikhs for murderous assault, burning of properties and house trespass on Tuesday, while more than hundred Sikhs were also arrested while they were protesting against building a Dera site that was brought to mud on July 18 to protest against the murder of S. Harmandar Singh (Dabwali) by dera sirsa followers.

Three Sikhs, Balkaran Singh, Sukhmandar Singh and Amarjit Singh were later produced before sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate of Dabwali. The court has sent them in judicial custody. The police had registered a case U/Ss 307, 435, 427 and 452 of IPC against Sikhs for attacking the houses and shops of Dera followers after a Sikh, Harminder Singh, was killed by dera followers while Sikhs were peacefully protesting against activities of the sect at Dabwali on July 18, 2008. Though the police had not named any persons in the FIR, it is believed they identified the accused through video images of the incident.

There is no arrest of any dera of followers who are guilty of killing Harmandar Singh and a Mumbai Court has recently granted bail to a Dera follower involved in murder of S. Balkar Singh at Mudland in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the repair work at Ghunkawali Dera run by Dera Sauda also started on Tuesday under State Patronage who deployed Police and other Armed forces to secure construction of the site.

Sikhs under the leadership of Baba Gurmeet Singh Tirolkewala, Baba Baljeet Singh Dadu and S. Sukhmandar Singh marched towards dera Ghukianwali Site but were stopped by Police and were brought to Fatehabad Police Station after arrest. All Sikhs arrested from Ghukianwali were released on Wednesday.

Mean while Khasla Action Committeee and Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar have criticized Haryana Government for arresting Sikhs and for patronizing reconstruction of Ghookianwali Dera. S. Daljeet Singh Bittu of SAD Asr (PP) has said in a press statement that these steps are clear instances that Government is patronizing Dera head. “Police has booked 700 Sikhs, off which 13 for Attempt to Murder, 150 are named for destruction of property, while another 500 are not named” he claimed.

Source: Punjab News Network