Karnal, Aug. 18 -- Ambala SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat on Monday said the authorities were ready for talks with Sikh leaders over the lathicharge and removal of protesters on the National Highway 44 on August 13. Shekhawat's verbal invitation for talks comes a week ahead of a large Sikh congregation at Gurdwara Manji Sahib in Ambala on August 25.

The SP said that after a meeting at Panjokhara Sahib Gurdwara, the protesters began their march towards the highway near Jaggi City Centre. He said the protesters raised the lathicharge issue, but "they were the ones who decided to block the highway despite assuring our DSPs that they would speak to the administration after the meeting".

"We tried to stop them from marching, but they pushed us and e...