Punjab bandh begins on peaceful note

Chandigarh, Dec 7 (PTI) A day-long Punjab (India's
northern state) bandh (strike) called by radical Sikh outfits
to protest the killing of a demonstrator in alleged police
firing in Ludhiana began on a peaceful note Monday.

Activists of radical Sikh outfits said that only shops
will be closed during the bandh. Essential services will be
kept outside the purview of the bandh.
The bandh had so far been peaceful as no untoward
incident has been reported from any part of the state,
official said here.
In Ludhiana and some other parts of the state
educational institutions are closed for the day.
Several universities, including Baba Farid University
of Health Sciences, Panjab University, Punjab Agricultural
University and Punjabi University, Patiala, have, postponed
their exams slated for Monday, officials said.
Radical Sikh organisations, including Damdami Taksal,
have called the bandh to protest the killing of Darshan Singh
in alleged police firing in Ludhiana on Saturday.
The police allegedly opened fire on a group of
persons owing allegience to radical Sikh outfits protesting
holding of a religious congregation by Divya Jyoti Jagran
Sansthan sect head Ashutosh Maharaj. PTI VJ