Chandigarh: Curfew continued for the second day Monday in Bhikhi town of Punjab`s Mansa district where clashes had broken out after a Sikh preacher had allegedly uttered some harsh words against Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda Chief.
"Curfew continues in force in Bhikhi to maintain law and order," Mansa`s SSP Hardyal Singh Mann said.
The authorities are constantly assessing the situation and would decide on lifting the curfew once they feel the situation has improved, he said.
The Dera followers had charged Sikh preacher Sant Baljit Singh Daduwal with uttering some harsh words against the Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh at a congregation at Bhikhi on Saturday.
Daduwal`s supporters were also angry over the alleged snapping of power supply to the sound system by the district authorities while he was making his speech on the first day of his five-day religious discourse on Saturday.
Yesterday, Daduwal`s supporters clashed with the police at Bhikhi following which the security personnel resorted to lathicharge to chase away the Sikh protestors, who were also angry over the preacher`s detention.
"Daduwal has been arrested and sent to Ferozepur jail," the SSP said.
The protestors had gone on rampage yesterday damaging public property after which police had taken many of them under preventive custody.
Daduwal and his followers have been opposing congregations by the Dera followers since 2009, when Akal Takht had ordered snapping of ties after the Dera chief had allegedly appeared before his followers in an apparel similar to the one worn by tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
PTI
