Mumbai: Sikhs call off Protest after Maha Dy. CM's assurance

A section of agitating Sikhs in Mumbai called off their protest in Mumbai for the day, after Maharashtra Dy. CM R R Patil assured them that strict action will be taken against the guilty who were involved in yesterday's violence, which claimed one life and injured two people. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh for the dead and Rs. 25,000 each for the injured. However, some other Sikh groups are still adamant on continuing their protest till Dera chief Ram Rahim is arrested.

Earlier in the day, the anti-Dera Sikhs went on a rampage, disrupting normal road and rail traffic. Armed with swords, they forced the shopkeepers close their shops. In some places, the Sikhs clashed with the police. Even as the CRPF have been deployed in various parts of Mumbai, violent clashes have been reported from some places and situation seems to be far from normal.

According to the latest update, the Sikh groups have resorted to protests and agitations in Punjab and Haryana. Trains have been stopped near Bhatinda and some other places. RAF and CRPF personnel have been deployed in Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra to contain the violence.

Meanwhile, Dera Chief Baba Ram Rahim Singh's bodyguard who is accused of killing a Sikh protester, was produced in a Mumbai court along with the two other accused. The guard is charged under Section 102 of IPC. The accused have been remanded to police custody till July 2.