Jammu, Dec 10, TEN Network | Authorities on Monday disallowed members of Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) to proceed towards Srinagar to observe International Human Rights Day in the summer capital in support of people of Kashmir.
The security forces stopped the two groups at Lakhanpur and forced them to return to Punjab. An official a large contingent of paramilitary force and police were deployed at Lakhanpur to prevent the groups from proceeding towards Srinagar.
The official said the forces laid a naka following information about the groups and started checking every vehicle on way to Jammu and Kashmir.
As soon as the Sikh groups entered Lakhanpur, they were asked by the authorities to return in absence of proper permission from the J&K authorities.
“We did not allow them to proceed towards Srinagar. It will have created law and order problem,” said Tehsildar, Kathua, Kapil Kant Khajuria. He was monitoring the situation at Lakhanpur.
Eyewitnesses said as the vehicles carrying the members were stopped, they came out from their vehicles and held a peaceful demonstration carrying placards calling for an end to “Kashmir siege” and release of all mainstream and separatist leaders.
“We came from Punjab in support of Kashmiri people, but police stopped us,” said one of the Sikh leaders, Baldev Singh.
Singh said the government must clear on the ground situation in Kashmir. “If situation is normal, why we were stopped to visit Srinagar,” he said. (GK)
