Barnala ,January 3, 2015 | Punjab’s Barnala town has turned into a fortress with 200 commandos and 1,000 police jawans out on the streets to maintain law and order situation following the burning of posters of controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s movie “Messenger of God (MSG)”.
A report by India Today says Dera followers and members of the Sikh sangat also clashed over the movie posters on Tuesday (Dec. 30) night. Police have arrested nine people for burning the posters of the movie, set to be released on January 16. The police had to resort to caning and firing shots in the air. Sources said the clashes started after movie’s posters were torn on Tuesday night in Bhagta Bhai Mandi area.
As per reprots the police has arrested nine persons for allegedly destroyed the movie’s posters. Irked by the police action, Sikhs started an indefinite protest at Balmiki Chowk in Barnala and said they will continue their protest till the movie’s posters aren’t removed.
“We will continue the dharna till the posters are not removed from the town. The police, rather than removing the movie’s posters, is guarding the flex banners and posters,” said Sikh leader Gursewak Singh Yogi, who was detained and later released on Tuesday night.
Police officials on Thursday (January 01) said the situation was under control and efforts were being made to ease the situation.
Dera Sauda head is facing serious criminal charges in CBI courts. Sikh bodies are demanding ban on his movie.