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| Vehicles are burnt in Jalandhar, India by protestors against the attacks on Sikh religious leaders at a temple in Austria's capital, 24 May 2009 |
By VOA News
25 May 2009
Police in northern India say two people were killed Monday during rioting triggered by the killing of a Sikh preacher at a temple in Austria.
Police say one person died in the town of Jalandhar when police fired on protesters. Another person was killed by an army bullet during protests in Lambra village, about 30 kilometers from Jalandhar. Several other people have been injured in the mayhem.
Officials in India's Punjab state imposed a curfew in the district around Jalandhar and called in troops Sunday to quell rioting by a Sikh group whose members are mainly low-caste Dalits, or "untouchables." Followers of the group turned violent after attackers in Vienna killed one of their religious leaders.
The preacher, identified as Sant Rama Nand, was visiting a temple in Austria Sunday when he was shot dead by rival Sikhs from a higher caste.
Fifteen other people, including another visiting preacher, were wounded when the rival Sikhs attacked worshipers with knives and at least one gun. Austrian police have arrested the alleged attackers. Police say the rival Sikhs apparently were incensed when the temple awarded a high religious honor to one of the visiting preachers.
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, himself a Sikh, said he was deeply distressed by the attack and subsequent violence. He issued an appeal for calm, saying that "Whatever the provocation, it is important to maintain peace and harmony among different sections of the people."
Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-25-voa12.cfm
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