Security of Phagwara Shiv Sena leaders downscaled, withdrawn

Phagwara: Punjab Police have withdrawn or downscaled security of at least seven Shiv Sena and other right wing leaders of Phagwara. The step was taken after several Shiv Sena leaders were booked for attempt to attack a mosque on July 22 that led to a clash between Shiv Sena members on one side and Muslims, Sikh and Dalit activists on the other.
According to sources, the leaders whose security had been downscaled included Inderjit Karwal and Rajesh Palta of the Shiv Sena and Hindu Suraksha Samiti leader Deepak Bhardwaj.They have been left with one gunman each. Leaders whose security has been completely withdrawn are Gurdeep Saini, Manish Sood, Shive Batta and one other.
An FIR was registered on the complaint of the Imam, who alleged that he and some others were attacked when they were coming out of the mosque after offering 'namaz'. The accused were booked for attempt to murder, hurting religious sentiments and rioting.
Confirming the development, Kapurthala senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rajinder Singh said the step was taken after revising the threat perception to these leaders.
In a meeting on Tuesday, which was chaired by local MLA and chief parliamentary secretary Som Parkash and attended by different political and social leaders, the common refrain was that security of such elements who keep on fomenting trouble should be withdrawn.
Some also criticized suspension of Phagwara deputy superintendent of police (DSP) K P S Chahal, who was accused by Shiv Sena leaders of using force against them.