Mumbai Sikh-Dera Sacha Sauda clash

June 20: A Sikh man, later identified as Balkar Singh, 42, was killed and another injured in firing by the bodyguard of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim Singh outside a mall in Mulund suburb when a clash between a group of Sikhs and Dera followers turned violent on Friday.

The Sikhs had shouted anti-Dera slogans inside the Lifestyles mall during a visit by Rahim Singh on Friday evening. The Dera chief left the place at around 6.45 pm and a bodyguard is believed to have opened fire after some Sikhs attempted to block his motorcade, a police officer said. Angry Sikhs later blocked all roads to Mumbai leading from the eastern suburbs, including the eastern expressway, demanding the arrest of those involved in the firing. Sikh protesters claimed the Dera men were carrying lathis and daggers and some had stenguns.

The police said action would be taken against the bodyguard. Mumbai areas with a large number of Sikhs like Chembur remained disturbed till late in the night.

One person was killed when the security guard of Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial spiritual leader of the Dera Sachcha Sauda sect, fired at protestors, shouting slogans against him at Mulund in North-east Mumbai tonight.

Ram Rahim had come to Mulund to attend a programme at the Nirmal Lifestyle mall at 1930 hrs, when some people, protesting his visit, started ranting slogans.

The security guard, who has not been identified, fired at the protestors, killing one of them and injuring another, police said.

Majority of the demonstrators were from the Sikh community, who blocked the entire stretch of the LBS road in the area, said an eye-witness.

Ram Rahim Baba and his security guard are holed up in a building and the protestors are demanding the arrest of the duo.

Police have cordoned off the area.