Authorities on Monday disallowed members of Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) to proceed towards Srinagar to observe International Human Rights Day in the summer capital in support of people of Kashmir.
The security forces stopped the two groups at Lakhanpur andforced them to return to Punjab. An official a large contingent of paramilitaryforce and police were deployed at Lakhanpur to prevent the groups fromproceeding towards Srinagar.
The official said the forces laid a naka followinginformation about the groups and started checking every vehicle on way to Jammuand Kashmir.
As soon as the Sikh groups entered Lakhanpur, they were askedby the authorities to return in absence of proper permission from the J&Kauthorities.
“We did not allow them to proceed towards Srinagar. It willhave created law and order problem,” said Tehsildar, Kathua, Kapil KantKhajuria. He was monitoring the situation at Lakhanpur.
Eyewitnesses said as the vehicles carrying the members werestopped, they came out from their vehicles and held a peaceful demonstrationcarrying placards calling for an end to “Kashmir siege” and release of allmainstream and separatist leaders.
“We came from Punjab in support of Kashmiri people, butpolice stopped us,” said one of the Sikh leaders, Baldev Singh.
Singh said the government must clear on the ground situationin Kashmir. “If situation is normal, why we were stopped to visit Srinagar,” hesaid.