Body of slain sect leader flown to India for cremation

Jun 4, 2009, 7:28 GMT

   New Delhi - A leader of an Indian Sikh sect whose death in an attack in a Vienna temple triggered widespread violence in India's northern state of Punjab is to be cremated Thursday amid tight security.

   The body of Sant Rama Nand was taken to the headquarters of the Dera Sach Khand sect at Ballan, near central Jalandhar city, by a special flight from Vienna for the last rites.

   The cremation was scheduled to take place with full state honours at Ballan Thursday afternoon, and thousands of followers of the sect from Punjab and other states were expected to attend.

   Besides Jalandhar, which is 150 kilometres north-west of the state capital, Chandigarh, other towns and cities across Punjab were on high alert from Wednesday night in view of the cremation.

   Meanwhile, the sect issued an appeal to its followers to maintain peace and harmony.

   Sixteen people, including Dera Sach Khand chief Niranjan Dass, were injured in the Vienna attack. It sparked violent unrest in Punjab and neighbouring Haryana state that claimed three lives and left dozens injured.

   Dass, who spent spent time in hospital recovering from gunshot wounds he suffered in the May 24 attack, also returned home on the same flight.

   'With due respect, we pay our tributes to Sant Rama Nand,' local lawmaker Kumari Selja told news channels. 'We also pray for the fast recovery of injured Guru Niranjan Dass.'

   Police said they believe they have caught the six Indian-born attackers but so far they have have not been able to determine the exact background of the incident.

   Mainstream Sikhs often consider sects such as Dera Sach Khand to deviate from their true religion and practices, even though they share some teachings.