Jalandhar, June 14: Curfew remained in force today in Talhan village, the scene of caste clashes last week, as the Punjab government decided to manage the affairs of Talhan Gurudwara under the guidance of a receiver after authorities ended a siege of the gurudwara yesterday where over 100 devotees were holed up. While there was a day-long relaxation in curfew in Bootan Mandi area, where one person was killed allegedly in police firing, no relaxation was given in Talhan village, Deputy Commissioner A K Gupta said here.
"Since the government has taken control over the controversial gurudwara, the Maryada Committee and Managing Committee appointed by the state government will manage the affairs of gurudwara under the guidance of receiver Inderpreet Singh Kahlon," he said. Gupta said the present arrangement was only temporary one and as soon as the dispute would be resolved between the two communities the control of the shrine would be handed over to them.
Meanwhile, one of panthis of the gurudwara Balwinder Singh maintained that the district officials assured yesterday that the receiver of the gurudwara would be withdrawn and management would be handed over to the original committee. On the other hand, DIG Dinkar Gupta has denied that the administration has given any assurance to the devotees. Rather clearance of misunderstanding from the minds of the devotees about the role of receiver paved way to resolve the stalemate, he said. Bureau Report