Black flags shown to Harsimrat in Bathinda

Bathinda, Punjab: SAD-BJP candidate from Bathinda Harsimrat Kaur Badal had to cancel her rally at Kotra Kaureyan village after its residents sat on a dharna, blocking the road leading to the village. The villagers, who put up black flags atop their houses, managed to prevent Harsimrat’s rally even though a heavy police force was deployed there since last night. Located close to Rampura Phul, the village is part of the Maur assembly constituency, which is represented by Akali MLA Janmeja Singh Sekhon.

The villagers, mainly belonging to the Bhullar community, were protesting against the SAD-BJP Government for its alleged role in a dispute over the management of a historic gurdwara. The Bhullars claimed that they had been managing the historic shrine for generations, but the SGPC wanted to take its possession. The dispute had led to several protests in the last three years, but the matter is yet to be resolved. The villagers did not even allow entry to a police vehicle that brought lunch for the personnel deployed in the village. The villagers themselves provided lunch to the policemen. Village sarpanch Gurpal Singh was caught in a piquant situation as he had organised a reception meeting for Harsimrat at his house, but his father Maghar Singh chose to join the protesters.

Meanwhile, black flags were shown to Harsimrat in Rampura, Balianwali and other villages also.

Source: The Tribune