From early January.

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Indefinite curfew was imposed in Bhikhi town of Mansa district on Sunday evening to avert a clash between Sikh activists and dera followers, following violence that left a DSP among others injured. Police used lathicharge, water cannons and teargas shells to control the crowd.

The situation in the area has been tense, with Dera followers accusing Sant Samaj leader Sant Baljit Singh Daduwal, who has been conducting a “Diwan (Sikh religious discourse)” in Bhikhi since December 31, of making “insulting remarks” against their dera head. Dera followers are holding their own religious discourse, the “Naam Charcha”, in Bhikhi.