SAD leaders meet LG, say police was partisan

New Delhi: Tight security has been deployed in Tilak Vihar, West Delhi, after a clash between Balmikis and Sikhs yesterday. Twentythree persons, including seven police personnel, sustained injuries. Three persons with bullet injuries have been hospitalised.

The police has registered a case of rioting and damage to public property. No arrest has been made so far.

A number of vehicles, including a PCR van and motor cycles, were damaged. Nikhil, a resident of Harijan Colony in Tilak Vihar, said the trouble began when women and children sitting outside their houses objected to some Sikh youths driving their bikes rashly. The bikers allegedly abused the women who belonged to the Balmiki community and a clash ensued. Police vehicles were pelted with stones and private vehicles set ablaze.

As the situation got out of control, the police fired into the air and lobbed tear gas shells.

Raja Harpreet Singh alleged that the police acted in a partisan manner, detaining several Sikh youths. However, the police denied this charge.

A delegation of the SAD led by its national vice-president Balwant Singh Ramoowalia today met the Lt-Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung, condemning the attack on the Sikhs in Tilak Vihar. The delegation alleged that the incident was pre-planned to create hatred for the Delhi Sikhs. It requested the Lt-Governor to intervene so that such incidents did not recur.

Amritsar: The SGPC today slammed the Delhi Police for resorting to a lathi charge on the Sikhs at Tilak Vihar in New Delhi on Thursday. Avtar Singh Makkar, SGPC president, said the “one-sided action” of the police in “targeting the Sikhs” during a clash with Balmikis was condemnable.

He alleged that injured Sikh youths were refused admission in Deen Dayal Government Hospital after which they were taken to a private hospital. “Three of them are in the ICU,” he said. He alleged the mediapersons were not allowed to cover the incident. Radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa blamed the Delhi Administration and the Delhi Police for “siding with the rioters.

Source: The Tribune