Date:09/06/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/06/09/stories/2003060904201100.htm

Other States - Punjab

Renewed caste violence in Jalandhar, five injured

Jalandhar June 8. Five persons were injured here today as caste clashes continued for the fourth day even as curfew remained in force in Talhan village and adjoining areas of this district in Punjab.

Carrying batons, stones and weapons, Jat Sikhs and Dalits clashed this morning in Talhan village from where violence had erupted on Thursday night, police said. Five persons were injured in the clash.

Describing the situation as ``under control'', the Deputy Commissioner, Ashok Kumar Gupta, said curfew would continue in the village.

Meanwhile, the BJP Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Morcha demanded the resignation of the Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh, for ``mishandling'' the Talhan row and ``allowing'' it to flare up.

The Dalit leader, Swarna Ram, also demanded a compensation of Rs. 15 lakhs for the youth killed in police firing during the clashes and dismissal of those who had opened fire.

The Damdami Takshal spokesman, Mohka Singh, accused Mr. Singh of adopting non-serious approach towards the incidents by not visiting the village. The Social Security Minister, Joginder Singh Mann, who visited the clash-affected areas, said ``outsiders'' had fished in troubled waters of the village out of petty political interests.

PTI