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Punjab riots after Vienna killing | Punjab riots after Vienna killing |
(about 22 hours later) | |
Riots have broken out across the Indian state of Punjab after a preacher from an Indian sect was killed by a rival Sikh group in Austria. | |
Within hours of the incident in Vienna, thousands of Sikhs took to the streets, clashing with police and setting fire to buildings, vehicles and a train. | Within hours of the incident in Vienna, thousands of Sikhs took to the streets, clashing with police and setting fire to buildings, vehicles and a train. |
At least two men were killed when the security forces opened fire on crowds near the city of Jalandhar, police say. | |
The army has marched through the city, where a curfew is in force. | The army has marched through the city, where a curfew is in force. |
However thousands of protesters carrying swords, steel rods and sticks defied the curfew on Monday. | However thousands of protesters carrying swords, steel rods and sticks defied the curfew on Monday. |
Whatever the provocation, it is important to maintain peace and harmony among different sections of the people Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh In pictures: Punjab riots | Whatever the provocation, it is important to maintain peace and harmony among different sections of the people Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh In pictures: Punjab riots |
Major highways were blocked by bonfires of tyres and sticks. Trains were attacked in several places. | |
Police said they had fired at rioting mobs in Jalandhar after coming under attack. At least four people were wounded. | |
One man was shot dead as police dispersed a crowd in the nearby town of Lambran. Police say they arrested six people for arson. | |
In the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, police fired tear gas after protesters burned dozens of buses. | |
The Delhi-Lahore bus was stopped near the town of Ludhiana as a precautionary measure. | |
Violent demonstrations have also been reported in the towns of Patiala, Ferozepur, Bathinda and Nawanshahr. | Violent demonstrations have also been reported in the towns of Patiala, Ferozepur, Bathinda and Nawanshahr. |
Appeal for calm | Appeal for calm |
Chief Minister of Punjab Prakash Singh Badal has called an all-party meeting on Tuesday and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appealed for calm. | Chief Minister of Punjab Prakash Singh Badal has called an all-party meeting on Tuesday and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appealed for calm. |
Most of the disturbances occurred in or near Jalandhar | Most of the disturbances occurred in or near Jalandhar |
"I am deeply distressed by the outbreak of violence in Punjab following certain incidents in Vienna, Austria," Mr Singh, himself a Sikh, said in a statement | |
"Whatever the provocation, it is important to maintain peace and harmony among different sections of the people." | "Whatever the provocation, it is important to maintain peace and harmony among different sections of the people." |
The disturbances were triggered by the death of preacher Sant Rama Nand during a religious ceremony in Vienna on Sunday. | |
He was attacked by six men armed with knives and a pistol and succumbed to his wounds in hospital early on Monday. | He was attacked by six men armed with knives and a pistol and succumbed to his wounds in hospital early on Monday. |
Another preacher, Sant Nirajnan Dass, who was among 15 other people injured, is said to be stable. | Another preacher, Sant Nirajnan Dass, who was among 15 other people injured, is said to be stable. |
Both the preachers were from a breakaway sect which has a large following in parts of Punjab and had travelled to Vienna to conduct a special service. | |
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder, in Delhi, says several Sikh groups had apparently opposed his presence and threatened violence. | The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder, in Delhi, says several Sikh groups had apparently opposed his presence and threatened violence. |