Tension prevailed here today after a face-off took place between activists of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and Siv Sena during a march organised by the former.
The incident happened during 'Chetna March' of SAD(A), a party led by former MP Simranjit Singh Mann.
The march, led by SAD (A) senior Vice President Dhyan Singh Mand, was to pass from Phagwara this afternoon on its way from Amritsar to Fatehgarh Sahib to commemoration the birth anniversary of Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale tomorrow.
Local activists of SAD(A), led by its executive committee member Rajinder Singh Fauji, had erected a tent near bus stand to welcome the marchers. They had also put up posters and banners of Bhindrawale.
However, before the marchers reached here, Shiv Sena activists objected to the welcome event. The activists led by its state Vice President Inderjit Karwal opposed the event, alleging that SAD(A) activists had also displayed Khalistan slogans besides pictures of Bhindrawale.
To protest of the alleged posters, the Shiv Sena activists started a march from Hanumangarhi temple here towards the SAD(A) tent.
SAD(A) activists also stood their ground, leading to a face-off, with both the sides raising angry slogans against each other.
Shiv Sena activists sat on a dharna on the road and blocked traffic. They demanded removal of "seditious" posters and banners.
A police team headed by Phagwara SP Gursevak Singh Brar, intervened to avert a clash.
SAD(A) activists Rajinder Singh Fauji and his son Daljit Singh were taken to police station.
"Fauji and his son were taken into custody only as a preventive measure and were later let off," said SP Gursevak Singh Brar.
The posters were later removed by police.
By this time, the participants of Chetna March had also reached the site. On learning about the incident, they halted and Mand took up the matter with the police.
The march moved ahead after Fauji and his son were let off.
