Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee supporters clash with the police
A row between two states over the control of gurudwaras took a violent turn today as Sikh protesters clashed with the police in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
Supporters of the newly-formed Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee tried to forcibly enter the 'Chhevin Patshahi', Haryana's main Sikh shrine, in Kurukshetra when they were stopped by the police.
Tension had been brewing in the state since Haryana's Congress government enacted a new law last month to take over the running of about 30 Sikh shrines in the state.
All Sikh shrines in India are currently under the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee, or SGPC, based in Punjab's Amritsar. An SGPC member has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Haryana government's law.
The SGPC has posted armed guards in Haryana's gurudwaras to resist a forcible takeover.
Today, supporters of the Haryana Sikh body, who had been gathering near the 'Chhevin Patshahi' since Saturday, tried to enter the shrine.
The police used batons, water cannons and tear gas shells to control the activists.
At least five policemen were injured in the violence, Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police Ashwin Shenvi told Press Trust of India.
"HSGMC members targeted policemen after they were stopped from marching towards the gurudwara. They pelted stones at the security personnel and indulged in scuffle," said Mr Shenvi. He said that police vehicles and fire tenders were targeted as well.
The chief of the Haryana Sikh body, Didar Singh Nalwi, however, said the police used force without any provocation.