Several areas in Bhathinda, which saw clashes over the past four days, were cordoned off by a large number of policemen.
CHANDIGARH: Tension prevailed in Punjab and Haryana on Friday as Sikh protesters targeted followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda in sporadic incidents of violence, damaging their homes and property.
Even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh advised the Punjab government to maintain utmost vigil to ensure law and order, Sikh protesters damaged two shops and as many houses, including the residence of a local Dera head at Sunam in Sangrur district, though no one was injured.
"I sincerely hope nothing will be done to flare up tempers and the situation in Punjab will be brought under control," the Prime Minister said.
A bandh was observed in Sangrur where a man who died in firing during an attack on Thursday by Sikhs on a Dera ashram was cremated this evening.
Dera chief Gurmeet Rahim Ram Singh, who sparked protests by Sikhs after appearing in an advertisement purportedly wearing the attire of Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, stopped short of apologising but said he had never intended to imitate the spiritual leader.
Sikhs forcibly closed shops in the industrial town of Ludhiana while effigies of the Dera chief were burnt at Dhuri in Sangrur, Jalandhar and Ferozepur in Punjab as well as Assandh in Haryana's Karnal district. Sikhs also organised marches, brandishing swords and weapons.
An uneasy calm prevailed at Sirsa in Haryana, where the Dera has its headquarters, as paramilitary forces conducted a flag march there to instill confidence among the people.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal described the advertisement featuring the Dera chief as a "big provocation" and said the denigration of Sikh gurus by anybody was not acceptable to the people. He also said the Dera chief was the "real culprit" in the matter.
Clashes between Sikhs and Dera followers have claimed one life and left more than 20 injured.
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