Nihang clash: 8 detained

Tribune News Service

Gidderbaha/Muktsar, Oct 21

At least eight persons have been rounded up so far in connection with the shootout between two factions of Nihangs belonging to the Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal at Mallan village over the control of a gurdwara on Wednesday.

The gunfight had claimed lives of three Nihangs and left seven persons injured.

Those rounded up for investigation included the incharge of a gurdwara located in a neighbouring village, reportedly belonging to the Budha Dal.

The district police today deployed two policemen with the family of deceased Naib Singh and his brother’s grandson Harvinder Singh.

Ranjit Singh, father of Harvinder and nephew of Naib Singh, had yesterday said that his family was in fear.

“A constable and a Home Guards jawan were deployed at our residence today,” said Ranjit Singh.

The police have also increased the number of raiding parties from three to six.

However, none of the 13 persons booked by name, all belonging to Mallan village, could be arrested.

Balkaran Singh, Sarpanch of Mallan village, said, “The situation is normal in the village now. But there are some rumours about the possibility of a similar attack. This is disturbing the people.”

Meanwhile, Gurpreet Singh Gill, Senior Superintendent of Police, Muktsar, said, “We have rounded up eight persons for questioning. No formal arrest has been made so far. The situation is peaceful and the police have been deployed at the gurdwara and residence of victims.”

Baba Amritpal cremated

Abohar: Baba Amritpal Singh, chief sewadar of Gurdwara Mehtabgarh in Goluwala (Hanumangarh), who was killed in the clash at Mallan village, was cremated in the gurdwara complex on Thursday evening. Amritpal and his followers had reached Mallan to take control of the gurdwara.

One of them, Nirmal Singh Kharlian, received two bullet injuries in the clash. Nirmal and Naginder Singh had been sentenced to life imprisonment by a district court in Hanumangarh for killing sacrilege accused Suraj Muni a few years ago. As their appeal against the Sessions Court order was pending in the High Court, Nirmal and Naginder were released on bail. Amritpal had also been arrested in the murder case but was acquitted later. He belonged to Sahnekhera village near Bathinda. — OC