Ludhiana, Dec 5 (IANS) Police in this largest city of Punjab opened fire and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse Sikh protesters who tried to disrupt a religious conference of a controversial sect leader.
At least 10 people were injured in the clash between the police and the protesters in the Miller Ganj area of this industrial city. The protesters damaged a few vehicles, including those of the police.

The Sikh organisations were protesting against the holding of a religious conference by controversial sect leader, Ashutosh Maharaj, of the Nurmahlia sect.

Sikh religious leaders have been opposed to the activities and influence of various sects, including the Nurmahlia sect.

Tight security arrangements had been made by the police for Saturday’s conference in view of rising tension between both sides.

The city had witnessed violence Friday also after hundreds of migrants, in an unrelated incident, went on a rampage and set 23 vehicles on fire to protest Punjab police’s inaction against robbers who were targeting them in recent months.