News In Brief
| New Delhi
Demonstrations against Sikhs continue in India
New Delhi police said Saturday they arrested 1,200 people demanding a tougher stand against Sikh militants who are agitating for greater religious and political autonomy in Punjab State.
Since last Thursday thousands of people have been turning out for protests each day. The demonstrations are expected to continue through Wednesday.
The coalition is demanding that the government crack down on the use of Sikh shrines as arsenals and sanctuaries for fugitives. It also wants additional paramilitary troops sent to Punjab to halt terrorist attacks.
On Thursday, Indian security forces ended an eight-day siege of three Sikh temples in Punjab State. Sixteen of some 350 worshipers who left the shrines were arrested as terrorists, authorities said.
