Skirmishes in Punjab over 'Ram Siya Ke Luv-Kush' serial

Several parts of Punjab witnessed minor skirmishes on Saturday with the Valmiki community giving a call for a statewide shutdown to protest against the Hindi serial "Ram Siya Ke Luv-Kush".

The protesters were demanding the withdrawal of the TV serial.

Tempers flared up in Fazilka town when Valmikis asked the traders and shopkeepers to down the shutters of their establishments.

A man was injured and hospitalised as the protesters pelted stones at the traders. A grocery shop was also damaged.

In Amritsar, all markets were closed on a call by the Valmiki organisations. Security was stepped up to prevent any untoward incident.

In Nakodar town a shopkeeper, Nirvail Singh, allegedly shot at a protester, who was trying to force him to close his shop.

The protester was hospitalized and the shopkeeper was arrested.

There was no major incident of violence anywhere in the state, except some skirmishes, a police official told IANS here.IANS