Sikhs rampage in Mumbai over boy's killing

(Source: www.ibnlive.com)

Protests on Saturday by Sikh groups against the killing of a boy who was allegedly shot dead by the bodyguards of Dera Sachcha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Friday night, have tuned violent.

Some of the protestors have stormed Mumbai's Mulund railway station and blocked trains. Central Railway services have been affected.

Fifty schools affiliated to Sikh organisations have also been shut down in Mumbai. Shops have also been forced to shut down and some buses too have been attacked.

The three bodyguards of Dera Sachcha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who were allegedly part of the group that fired at and shot dead the boy, have been arrested and are to be produced in Quila court.

The firing incident also has had it repercussions in Haryana with about 500 Sikhs blocking National Highway No. 10 in Sirsa where Dera Sachcha Sauda headquarters is located. They are also protesting Friday's incident in Mumbai and want action against those who opened fire.

After protests by the Sikh community, the case is now being investigated by the Mumbai Crime Branch.

Meanwhile, Sikh radical groups will also hold a meeting in Amritsar and Jalandhar to decide the future course of action.

The alleged firing incident took place on Friday night when the victim was caught in a pitched battle between supporters of the controversial leader of the Dera Sachcha Sauda and a Sikh group outside a shopping mall.

Reports say one of Dera chief's armed bodyguards opened fire killing the youngster.

Though Ram Rahim immediately left for his ashram in Ratnagiri but the incident triggered violent protests.

"We want Ram Rahim to be arrested and we will not stop till he is arrested," a group of angry Sikh youths said.

The protestors say the youth was needlessly targeted and that he was not bothering the Baba's team at all.

"This is a conspiracy. The boy was just here to shop in the mall and he was shot at," another protestor said.

Protestors blocked the Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg and the Eastern Express Highway.

And although three of the Baba's security guards have been arrested, the protestors are not convinced.

"We have registered a case and we think we have a clue. We are working on the case," a police official claimed.