Jalandhar, June 08: Five persons were today injured as caste clashes continued here for the fourth day even as curfew remained in force in Talhan village and adjoining areas of this district in Punjab. Carrying batons, stones and sharp edged weapons, Jat Sikhs and Dalits clashed this morning in Talhan village from where violence had erupted on Thursday night, police said. Five persons were injured in the clash, they said.
Describing the situation as "under control", Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Gupta said curfew would continue in the village and might be relaxed in areas falling in the city.
Meanwhile, BJP Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Morcha demanded resignation of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for "mishandling" the Talhan row and "allowing" it to flare up and spread.
Dalit leader Swarna Ram also demanded compensation of Rs 15 lakhs for the youth killed in police firing during the clashes and dismissal of those who had opened fire.
Damdami Takshal spokesman Mohka Singh accused the Chief Minister of adopting non serious approach towards the incidents by not visiting Talhan village.
Social security minister Joginder Singh Mann, who visited the clash affected areas, said "outsiders" had fished in troubled waters of the village out of petty political interests. Bureau Report