Fifteen people, including eight policemen, were today injured as Sikh activists protested against the alleged desecration of their holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib. Protestors clashed with cops who used tear-gas shells and water canons. Tension prevailed in the district and heavy police force was deployed to maintain calm.
At least 6,000 Sikh activists took part in the protest demanding action against those responsible for the sacrilege. Police have detained 500 protesters to maintain law and order.
According to officials, a holy book was stolen from a religious place located on Bathinda-Kotkapura road recently.
Condemning the incident, Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal said in a statement that nobody would be allowed to disturb the peace and communal harmony of the state.
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