Punjab: Tension in Phagwara after two communities clash, three injured

Later, members of Dalit community, led by large number of women, sat on dharna in front of Phagwara city police station and even damaged the vehicle of ASP Sandip Malik who had reached there to talk to the protesters. They also attacked Punjab roadways bus at Gol Chowk. .

The clash had its genesis in another clash last year on April 14, on the eve of Dr BR Ambedkar’s birth anniversary when some Dalit outfits had made an attempt to rename the Gol Chowk as “Samvidhan chowk”. At that time, some Dalit activists and those from some right wing organisations, including the Shiv Sena, cl;ashed with each other. A Dalit youth had received a bullet injury during the clash and later died two weeks later.

Following this, Phagwara remained on tenterhooks for about a month amid clashes between the two communities. Since then four Shiv Sena leaders have been sent to for opening fire during the clashes.

The ASP said that the situation is now under control. No case was registered till the filing of this report.