Jaipur: Sikhs go on rampage

The alleged cutting of the hair of a Sikh boy sparked protests by the members of the community who went on a rampage in Jaipur on Tuesday, brandishing swords and injuring two policemen in brick batting.

Two policemen were hurt and the windscreen of their vehicle smashed when they tried to stop the protesting Sikhs from pelting stones, a senior official said adding that the situation in certain areas of the city remained tense. Demanding the immediate arrest of the six youths who allegedly cut the hair of 17-year-old Inderpreet Singh before beating him up on Monday, the protestors ransacked the Gandhinagar police station, some handcarts of local vendors and forced businessmen to down their shutters, the official said.

The situation in the Rajapark locality remained tense as the protestors, brandishing swords, asked shops and other business establishments in the area to close down and later clashed with policemen who apprehended them on the Tonk road.

According to an FIR lodged with the Gandhi Nagar police station late on Monday night, Inderpreet was led away to a deserted place by six youths who allegedly cut his hair and later beat him up. Jealousy and rivalry in a love affair involving a girl close to Inderpreet might be the reason behind the assault, police suspected.

Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order and the situation was tense but under control, the official said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people held a sit-in outside the Rajpark Gurudwara here demanding the arrest of the accused. A hunt is on to nab the absconding youths, the official said. Trimming of hair is strictly prohibited in the Sikh religion.