By IANS,
Dabwali (Haryana) : Two followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect were arrested Saturday in this Haryana town for their involvement in the killing of a Sikh man in a clash between sect followers and Sikh activists here.
Tension and curfew continued Saturday in this town, 350 km from state capital Chandigarh and on the border of Haryana and Punjab, though the local authorities relaxed the curfew for a couple of hours to enable people to buy essential items.
“The situation is under control and we are monitoring it. Some relaxation in curfew was given today (Saturday),” said Haryana chief secretary Dharam Vir.
The army has been asked to remain on stand-by in case there is any flare-up in the situation again.
A Sikh activist, Mandar Singh, was killed in the clash between Sikh activists and Dera followers when the latter had assembled here for a “naam charcha” (prayer meeting). The Sikh activists tried to disrupt the prayer meeting that led to the clash.
The cremation of Singh will take place later Saturday.
Eight companies of paramilitary forces along with state police are stationed in and around this town since Friday. These include the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Border Security Force (BSF), said deputy commissioner V. Umashankar.
Shops, commercial establishments, offices and schools remained closed here for the second day.
The Haryana and Punjab police are on high alert since Friday. The Haryana police is keeping a close watch in Sirsa district headquarter town near here. The headquarters of the sect is located near Sirsa.