Clashes erupted between pro-Khalistan supporters and members of a Hindu organization outside the hallowed Ma Kali Temple in Punjab’s Patiala on Friday.

The incident took place during the ‘Khalistan Murdabad’ march carried out by Shiv Sena Bal Thackeray when pro-Khalistan supporters attacked the march with stones and swords.

Stones were hurled and swords brandished as the pro-Khalistan supporters ran amok, barging into the Ma Kali Temple in Patiala. The skirmishes reportedly broke out after pro-Khalistan supporters raised slogans hailing Khalistan and attacking the participants of the ‘Khalistan Murdabad’ march.

The armed Sikh mob which was a part of the pro-Khalistan rally organized in opposition to the ‘Khalistan Murdabad’ march attacked the Kali Mata Temple after Hindus had taken shelter inside the temple premises.

Videos of pro-Khalistan supporters hurling stones and raising slogans in support of Khalistan have emerged on social media.

In one of the videos that have emerged on social media, a bevy of protesters could be seen blocking a roundabout in Patiala and shouting “Khalistan Zindabad” slogans.

As per reports, several people have been injured in the clashes. The police reached the spot shortly after the riots broke out between the two sparring parties.

Stones were hurled and swords brandished as the pro-Khalistan supporters ran amok, barging into the Ma Kali Temple in Patiala

The law enforcement officials fired in the air to control the situation. However, a Hindu leader, Karmaveer Singh, was injured, along with SHO Tripathi.

SHO Tripathi was attacked by pro-Khalistan supporters with a sword, a report published in Dainik Jagran said. Around 15 rounds of aerial shots were fired by the police to bring the situation under control.

OpIndia spoke to Harish Sangla, the Punjab working head of Shiv Sena Bal Thackeray, about the clashes that erupted between pro-Khalistan supporters and Hindus. Sangla said a ‘Khalistan Murdabad’ march was organized by his party to protest against a small section of pro-Khalistan supporters harbouring secessionist mentality.

“We had organized a ‘Khalistan Murdabad’ march to mark our protest against a minuscule section of people who are still harbouring secessionist ideology and support the idea of Khalistan. This march was against proponents of Khalistan who have caused grave pain to the people of Punjab who were victims of Khalistani terrorism and had lost their loved ones to it. Our protest was against Khalistan and we will never allow Punjab to become Khalistan,” Sangla said.

He further added, “Initially, a handful of pro-Khalistan supporters tried to stop our march but we drove them. Then, they brought with them a large number of people to attack the Kali Mata Temple.”

Following the clashes, the situation remains tense in and around the Kali Mata Temple. At present, the temple has been closed for devotees and a large contingent of police personnel has been deployed at the place to maintain the situation under control.

In one of the videos, a bevy of protesters could be seen blocking a roundabout in Patiala and shouting “Khalistan Zindabad” slogans

Punjab’s peace and harmony of utmost importance: Mann

“Seeing the problem of law and order here, police have been deployed. We are speaking with Shiv Sena chief Harish Singla as they don’t have any permission for the march,” the DSP said.

Responding to the violence, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called it deeply unfortunate.

“I spoke with the DGP, peace has been restored in the area. We are closely monitoring the situation and will not let anyone create disturbance in the State. Punjab’s peace and harmony are of utmost importance,” he tweeted.

Taking a dig at AAP and Punjab government, Congress leader Gaurav Ballabh called Arvind Kejriwal a busy man. 

“Bhagwant Mann didn’t ask for instructions from the Delhi CM which is why Punjab is facing a law and order problem. This is the model of misgovernance,” he added.

Shiv Sena had decided to carry out a protest march after Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu issued a decree to put flags on DC offices in Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh today.

April 29 is Khalistan Foundation Day.

Responding to this, Shiv Sena’s Punjab-working president Harish Singla announced that his organization will take out an anti-Khalistan march in Patiala on April 29.

He further said that some Khalistanis are conspiring to break India and want to get create disunity between Hindus and Sikhs of Punjab.

SHO Tripathi was attacked by pro-Khalistan supporters with a sword, a report published in Dainik Jagran said

‘Khalistan Murdabad’ march was organized by Shiv Sena party to protest against a small section of pro-Khalistan supporters harbouring secessionist mentality

Gurugram police had registered a case of sedition against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu

The Shiv Sena leader had also said that the party will never allow the Khalistan movement to raise its ugly head in Punjab again.

On April 16, Gurugram police registered a case of sedition against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu for his recent announcement that the Khalistani flag will be hoisted at all the SP and DC offices from Gurugram to Ambala in Haryana.

Pannu had made the announcement through a YouTube channel.

According to the FIR lodged at the Cyber Crime police station, Pannu said, “Haryana will be part of Punjab and Punjab will be liberated from India. On April 29, the flag of Khalistan will be hoisted at every SP and DC office from Gurugram to Ambala and Haryana will become Khalistan.”

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