On Bandi Chhor eve, Mand placed under ‘house arrest’

Tribune News Service

Amritsar/Ferozepur, Oct 29

Dhyan Singh Mand, the Sarbat Khalsa-appointed acting Akal Takht “Jathedar”, was allegedly placed under house arrest in Ferozepur today. He has announced to deliver a message to the Sikh community from the Akal Takht on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Diwas tomorrow.

His message is now likely to be conveyed in the form of handouts at the Golden Temple. Mand might be released in the afternoon tomorrow.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh is scheduled to address the Sikh Sangat on Bandi Chhor Diwas. However, various Sikh organisations are up in arms against him, claiming that he has been rejected by the community.

SAD (Amritsar) leader Jarnail Singh Sakhira said the Sikh community would stage a protest in case Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh delivered the message. Sakhira was among the organisers of the “Sarbat Khalsa” held last year.

Sakhira and another congregation organiser, Gurdeep Singh, slammed Mand’s detention. They said the police were not even allowing any communication with Mand.

Another Sikh outfit, Dal Khalsa has also announced a protest against Giani Gurbachan Singh’s address.

Security is expected to be beefed up in and around the shrine tomorrow. Sources said the SGPC would deploy more members of its task force, while the police would be present in mufti inside the Golden Temple complex.

When contacted, Ferozepur SSP RK Bakshi denied that the police had detained Mand or kept him under house arrest.