Six injured in shooting by Dera follower

CHANDIGARH: Six persons were injured on Tuesday when a Dera Sacha Sauda follower fired at them from his weapon in a village in Sirsa district of Haryana, leading to tension in the area.

According to official sources here, the six persons, all belonging to Sikh community, had received minor injuries on their legs after the shooting incident in Mallewala village, about 10 kms from Sirsa, and were treated in a local hospital. They were out of danger, hospital sources said.

The Dera follower identified as Ajit has been arrested by the Haryana Police. The weapon used in the incident has also been recovered from him, the sources said.

Senior civil and police officers had reached the village where the situation was described as tense, but under control. Additional police personnel have also been deployed to maintain peace, the sources added.

The area was tense following the stand off between the Dera followers and members of the Sikh community after the recent alleged blasphemous act of the Dera Chief Sant Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh following his appearance in dress similar to that of 10th Guru Gobind Singh.