Punjab’s Muslim-dominated town of Malerkotla remained tense on Saturday following violence triggered by an alleged incident of desecration of holy book, the Quran.
People burnt vehicles and damaged property after apparently torn pages of the holy book were found in a cemetery.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh alleged that the local Akali Dal legislator Farzana Khatoon’s husband and former DGP Izhar Alam’s security personnel fired indiscriminately at people, injuring many.
A mob allegedly attacked the house of Farzana Khatoon while protesting alleged sacrilege of a religious book forcing police to open fire, police said on Saturday.
Six policemen including a DSP was injured as protesters who numbered around 300-400 indulged in stone pelting, torched a car and a room meant for security men outside the MLA’s house.
The legislator who was in the house was safe, DSP Randhir Singh said on the incident that occured in Malerkotla town in Sangrur district Friday night.
Police officials said that the situation remained tense but under control.
Strongly condemning the incident of sacrilege, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday urged people to exercise calm.
Amarinder Singh however apprehended “a conspiracy at the behest of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal” to disturb peace and destabilise Punjab ahead of elections.
(With PTI inputs.)
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