A hotelier from Kullu, Aman Sood, who had lodged a police complaint against a group of individuals from Punjab for allegedly displaying flags bearing the image of slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale on their motorbikes, has been issued a warning by the police in Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh.
Authorities have cautioned him against engaging in activities that could disrupt harmony between the two states, sources revealed on Monday.
According to police sources, Sood has also been instructed to refrain from posting content related to the incident on social media, participating in media interviews, or engaging in debate programs. The warning comes in the wake of growing tensions following multiple incidents involving bikers from Punjab carrying Bhindranwale flags and reported altercations with locals in Kullu.
On March 15, based on Sood’s complaint, police registered a case under Section 126(2) (wrongful restraint), Section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), Section 352 (intentional insult), Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and Section 3(5) (joint criminal liability) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 25 of the Arms Act, against unidentified individuals.
However, a counter-case was also filed against Sood under BNS sections 126(2), 352, 351(2), and 353(2) (inciting public mischief), with authorities citing concerns over his actions potentially disturbing communal harmony.
The police in Manikaran formally warned Sood on Sunday, stating that any further activities that threaten peace and harmony between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab could lead to stringent legal consequences.
A notice issued by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Manikaran police station specifically mentioned that Sood, despite repeated warnings, was engaging in activities that could incite enmity between different groups and disrupt social peace.
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The notice advised him to immediately cease such actions, avoid social media discussions on the matter, and refrain from appearing in media interviews.
Furthermore, Sood has been summoned to appear before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Kullu regarding the ongoing investigation into incidents affecting public peace and religious harmony in Manikaran Valley.
In his initial complaint, Sood had claimed that while traveling to Kullu with his wife and driver, Ramesh, he witnessed a group of bikers fighting with a man and a woman near Manikaran. Upon asking them to remove Bhindranwale flags from their motorbikes and to stop fighting, the bikers allegedly became aggressive.
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He stated that they hurled abuses and began attacking people with a sword and sticks, resulting in a head injury to his driver, Ramesh.
Following the altercation, the attackers fled toward Bhuntar, but police managed to identify one of the bikes, which bore a Punjab registration number. Sood subsequently demanded legal action against the accused and submitted a memorandum to the government through the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kullu, seeking intervention.
The controversy escalated as videos of the clashes went viral on social media. In response, several incidents of vandalism were reported in Punjab, including damage to Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses and Bhindranwale posters being placed on vehicles in Hoshiarpur, Sirhind, Kharar, and Amritsar.
Authorities in both states are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need for maintaining peace and ensuring that communal tensions do not escalate further.
Law enforcement agencies have urged the public to refrain from sharing inflammatory content and have assured that appropriate action will be taken based on their investigation.
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