Uttarakhand: 7 Nihang pilgrims held after violent clash near Jyotirmath
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Gopeshwar (PTI): Police have arrested seven pilgrims after a violent clash between Nihangs and a local businessman near Uttarakhand's Jyotirmath, officials said.
The accused also attacked a police officer with sharp weapons while he was trying to intervene, injuring him, they added.
Nihang Sikhs, who had come to visit Hemkund Sahib near Jyotirmath, had an argument with a local businessman on Monday over moving a scooter.
The argument escalated, and the Nihangs allegedly attempted to attack the businessman with swords. However, the businessman narrowly escaped.
By the time police reached the spot, the accused had fled. They were, however, stopped near the police station gate.
Meanwhile, a large number of local businessmen also gathered at the police station. The situation worsened when it was found that the Nihang pilgrims were carrying several sharp weapons, including kulhars, large double-edged swords, knives, and axes — apart from the swords and kirpans they traditionally carry as part of their religious beliefs.
A heated argument broke out between the two sides, which soon turned into a brawl. While the police attempted to intervene, a Nihang named Amritpal allegedly attacked a senior sub-inspector on the head with a sharp knife, injuring him.
Two separate cases have been registered under sections 109(1) (attempt to murder), 191(2) (rioting), 193(3) (liability of the owner, occupier, or any person with an interest in land where an unlawful assembly or riot takes place), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the accused, police said.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Harpreet Singh, Amritpal Singh, Harpreet Second, Binder Singh, Garja Singh, Harjot Singh, and Bhola Singh. All the accused are residents of Fatehgarh in Punjab.
Further investigation is underway, police added.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
