Protests against the recent desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib continued on Wednesday in various parts of Punjab as the state police said it had solved five of the seven cases.
Sikh activists blocked roads at various locations, causing inconvenience to the general public, particularly motorists.
Paramilitary forces and Punjab Police personnel took out flag marches in sensitive areas in the affected districts of Amritsar, Jalandhar, Faridkot and Bathinda.
Police detained Independent legislators from Ludhiana and brothers Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains as they were proceeding to Chandigarh to protest at the official residence of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
In Amritsar, the 'Panj Piaras' (five beloved ones), asked Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh to explain the reasons for the pardon granted to controversial Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and the subsequent reversal of the decision.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee later suspended the Panj Pyaras.
The Panj Piaras, who perform ‘Amrit Sanchar’ (the baptism ritual) and are authorised by the SGPC to lead the nagar kirtans on Gurpurbs, took the step at a meeting held at Akal Takht on Wednesday. The five included Giani Satnam Singh, a second ‘Piara’ by the same name, Giani Tirlok Singh, Giani Mangal Singh and Giani Major Singh.
SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said they were suspended for violating the service rules.
The Punjab Police on Tuesday said two brothers had been arrested for alleged involvement in the desecration of the Sikh holy book, adding the duo was getting instructions and funding from their handlers in Australia and Dubai.
Jaswinder Singh and Rupinder Singh were arrested for the main sacrilege case reported from Bargari village in Faridkot district.
Phone calls of the two brothers were traced to Australia and Dubai and a special investigation team will probe this aspect.
