SGPC offers Rs 5 lakh each to families of Sikhs killed in Poonch attack

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has declared to provide an assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of Sikhs killed in the attack in Poonch, Jammu, recently. In another case of pending mercy petition filed on behalf of death row prisoner Balwant Singh Rajoana —- to commute his death sentence into life imprisonment —- the SGPC has sought public opinion before taking a call on it.

These announcements were made during an executive body meeting chaired by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami today.

Dhami said that the SGPC was committed to providing all help to the victims of the Poonch terror attack.

In Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling in Poonch five days ago, several civilians, including Sikhs, were killed and the central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha was hit. Four Sikh community members —- Amrik Singh (a raagi), Amarjeet Singh (retired army soldier), Ranjit Singh (local shopkeeper) and a Sikh woman Ruby Kaur were killed while they were in their shop or houses.

“We will provide Rs 5 lakh each to the victims’ families. Besides, we offer any kind of assistance they would need during this tragic period,” he said.

On Rajoana’s mercy petition, Dhami read out the three-page letter he received from him. He is lodged in Patiala jail at present.

Dhami said that Rajoana has asked the SGPC to withdraw the petition. “Before taking a decision on it, the executive has decided to gather public opinion,” he said.

The SGPC is trying to form national opinion by holding meetings with the representative of various Sikh, Nihang Singh and Taksal organisations. Two meetings have already been held in this regard and a meeting will be held with Sikh judges and lawyers in Chandigarh on May 17.

“After this, a Panthic gathering will be called and a decision will be taken according to Panthic sentiments,” he said.

Among other decisions, Dhami disclosed that the executive has decided to install the portraits of Golden Temple’s head granthi Giani Mohan Singh, former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, Baba Inderjit Singh Rakbewale, Baba Bishan Singh Tarna Dal Baba Bakala, former member Major Singh Swadi, kathavachak (narrator) Giani Pinderpal Singh’s father Hardial Singh and those Sikhs killed during the attack in Poonch. Tributes were paid by chanting the Mool Mantra and Gur Mantra.

Meanwhile, the SGPC has also plans to spruce up the path from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee Langar Hall to Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai Sahib.