PATIALA – The coronavirus lockdown in the Indian state of Punjab turned violent. In a bloody clash in Patiala, an Assistant sub inspector (ASI) of Patiala police lost his hand at sabzi mandi ,Patiala.

The clash broke out at a vegetable market in Patiala, after a group of Nihangs dressed with traditional weapons tried to enter the premises but were stopped at the entrance by local police staff who asked to see their curfew passes. The altercation drew the attention of police officers standing nearby, but their intervention went profoundly awry.

The men pulled their weapons out and attacked the police, chopping one officer’s hand off and injuring a few others. The officer, identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Harjeet Singh, had surgery performed on his left arm, local police later said, describing the scuffle as an “unfortunate incident.”

After the incident the injured ASI was immediately shifted to Govt Rajindra hospital and from their to PGI Chandigarh.

Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu, said that a case under the relevant sections of the law has been registered.

The second case has been registered against 11 persons, including the woman, at PS Passiana, Patiala.

Another case under NDPS Act has also registered for recovery of 5-6 bags of poppy husk and other drugs from Khichri Sahib Complex, Balbera, where the Nihangs were living. Their property will also be attached on account of the recovery of commercial quantity of drugs.