Police on Tuesday evening announced the arrest of two Sikh brothers, allegedly having links with foreign radicals, for the October 12 desecration of Guru Granth Sahib at Bargari village in Faridkot district — the first case of sacrilege that sparked protests across Punjab. Prime accused Rupinder Singh and Jaswinder Singh had been taken into custody five days ago, after their phone calls with their US, Australia and Dubai-based handlers were initially intercepted by cops, top government sources told HT. Rupinder, who hails from Panjgrain village in Faridkot district, was admitted to Apollo hospital in Ludhiana after he was injured in the Kotkapura clash last week. “During his hospitalisation also, the accused was receiving calls from his handlers, with whom they were discussing the delivery of cash, sharing details of bank account etc,” police sources said.Meanwhile, in a hurriedly convened press conference, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said the Punjab government would unearth all conspiracies behind the desecration at Bargari village that had led to widespread “emotional outbursts” across the state. At least two people were killed and nearly 70 injured, including police officials, on Wednesday in clashes between police and Sikhs near Kotkapura town in Faridkot district. In some districts, farmers – who had protested earlier this month accusing the government of being anti-farmer – have also joined the protests. In fact, tension has been simmering in Punjab for the last two decades. The state presented the scene of a violent insurgency for an independent Sikh homeland in the 1980s and the 1990s and Indira Gandhi-led Government launched a ruthless operation at the most holiest site of Sikh religion – the Golden Temple, the pond of which turned into red due to massacre of hundreds of Sikhs. A website “Sikhlionz” give graphic account of how Sikhs are being targeted and persecuted in India and they are being isolated from the mainstream. The on-going trouble in East Punjab is beginning of what could be a full-fledged movement by Sikhs who have become weary of Indian misrule and cruel treatment. What turn the movement takes, is to be seen in the days to come.
pk.shafaqna.com
