Riots have broken out across the Indian state of Punjab after a a preacher from an Indian sect was killed by a rival Sikh group in Austria. Within hours of the incident in Vienna, thousands of Sikhs took to the streets, clashing with police and setting fire to buildings, vehicles and a train.
At least one man was killed when the security forces opened fire on crowds near the city of Jalandhar, police say. The army has marched through the city, where a curfew is in force. However thousands of protesters carrying swords, steel rods and sticks defied the curfew on Monday.
Chief Minister of Punjab Prakash Singh Badal has called an all-party meeting on Tuesday and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appealed for calm. "I am deeply distressed by the outbreak of violence in Punjab following certain incidents in Vienna, Austria," Mr Singh said in a statement "Whatever the provocation, it is important to maintain peace and harmony among different sections of the people."
Source: BBC
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