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Heavy security for Punjab funeral Funeral held for Punjab preacher
(about 9 hours later)
Thousands of police have been deployed in India's Punjab state for the funeral of a preacher killed in Austria. Thousands of devotees have attended the funeral in India's Punjab state of a preacher killed in Austria.
Troops are also on alert as tens of thousands of followers gather in and around the city of Jalandhar for Sant Ramanand's funeral. Police were deployed and troops put on alert as mourners gathered in and around the city of Jalandhar to witness the cremation of Sant Ramanand.
The preacher was killed by a rival Sikh group in Vienna on 24 May. His body arrived in India on Thursday morning. The preacher was killed by a rival Sikh group during a religious ceremony in Vienna on 24 May.
The killing led to riots across Punjab by tens of thousands of his sect's lower caste Hindu and Sikh supporters.The killing led to riots across Punjab by tens of thousands of his sect's lower caste Hindu and Sikh supporters.
Mr Ramanand was attacked during clashes at a religious ceremony by six men armed with knives and a pistol. class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/8083122.stm">In pictures: Awaiting the funeral
He was a senior leader of the Dera Sach Khand sect which is made up almost equally of lower caste Hindus and poorer Sikhs. But the cremation took place without any violent incidents.
The BBC's Asit Jolly in Chandigarh says it is thought the attack took place because Sikh hard-liners see the sect - which incorporates Sikh customs within its teachings - as a heretical offshoot. Tearful mourners queued up all day to pay their last respects to the preacher.
Mr Ramanand was a senior leader of the Dera Sach Khand sect which is made up almost equally of lower caste Hindus and poorer Sikhs.
The city of Jalandhar is believed to be a stronghold of the sect.
The BBC's Asit Jolly in the Punjab capital, Chandigarh, says it is thought the attack took place because Sikh hardliners see the sect - which incorporates Sikh customs within its teachings - as a heretical offshoot.
Many mainstream Sikhs also find the sect's beliefs offensive, our correspondent says.Many mainstream Sikhs also find the sect's beliefs offensive, our correspondent says.
'Alert''Alert'
A police statement said thousands of policemen are patrolling the streets of Jalandhar and nearby towns and villages to prevent any trouble. Following the riots that swept across Punjab after Mr Ramanand was killed, local police were eager to ensure security.
Thousands of policemen patrolled the streets of Jalandhar and in nearby towns and villages to prevent any trouble.
"The army has been put on alert as thousands of Sant Ramanand's followers are expected to pay their homage. We will not allow any disturbance," the AFP news agency quoted senior police official RK Jaiswal as saying."The army has been put on alert as thousands of Sant Ramanand's followers are expected to pay their homage. We will not allow any disturbance," the AFP news agency quoted senior police official RK Jaiswal as saying.
The killing led to widespread riots in PunjabThe killing led to widespread riots in Punjab
Mr Ramanand's body was brought by a special flight to the village of Ballan, the sect's headquarters on the outskirts of Jalandhar, about 75km (47 miles) from Amritsar.Mr Ramanand's body was brought by a special flight to the village of Ballan, the sect's headquarters on the outskirts of Jalandhar, about 75km (47 miles) from Amritsar.
The cremation is scheduled to take place later on Thursday. Mr Ramanand was attacked during clashes at a religious ceremony by six men armed with knives and a pistol at a temple in Vienna.
Mr Ramanand was attacked with knives and a pistol inside a temple in Vienna. Another preacher, Sant Nirajnan Dass, was among 15 people who were injured in the attack.
Another preacher, Sant Nirajnan Dass, was among 15 people who were also injured in the attack. It led to widespread riots in Punjab where supporters of the sect set fire to trains, vehicles and dozens of public and private buildings. At least three protesters were killed in the violence.
The attack in Vienna led to widespread riots in Punjab where supporters of the sect set fire to trains, vehicles and dozens of public and private buildings.
At least three protesters were killed in the violence.