Patiala violence: Key conspirator Barjinder Singh Parwana arrested

Patiala police on Sunday arrested alleged key conspirator Barjinder Singh Parwana in the communal violence reported on Friday.

The police had identified Parwana as a resident of Rajpura, and dubbed him one of the masterminds of the incident.

He had evaded arrest, and several police teams were formed to nab him. Reportedly, Parwana is a man with criminal antecedents, with four FIRs lodged against him in the past.

Another accused, Harish Singla, working president of a group called Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray), who organised the march, was sent to two-day police remand by a court.

Singla was arrested on Friday after he was booked under various sections including 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

Clashes occurred between two groups over an anti-Khalistan march. Heavy police security was deployed at the site of the clashes outside the Kali Mata temple.

Various Hindu groups had given a call for a bandh in protest against Friday's incident.

Several markets in Patiala city remained shut on Saturday.

Representatives of some Hindu groups lifted their 'dharna' outside the temple and deferred their proposed protest march after police and district administration assured them of action within two days against those who were behind the disturbance and violence on Friday.

The groups had clashed over the anti-Khalistan march, hurling stones at each other and brandishing swords. Police had to fire in the air to bring the situation under control.