Ten ‘birs’ damaged in gurdwara fire
Ferozepur, April 29
Ten ‘birs’ of Guru Granth Sahib, besides several ‘gutkas’ and other holy books, were damaged today in a fire that broke out in a gurdwara at Behak Fattu village, about 10 km from Zira subdivision in the district.
Deputy Commissioner DPS Kharbanda, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manminder Singh and other senior officials rushed to the spot. Ruling out foul play, the DC said an electrician had repaired a fan in the gurdwara this morning. Since the previous granthi had been removed by the panchayat, there was no one present there when the electrician left. The DC added that some fault or loose wiring probably triggered the fire.
Later, the district administration informed the head priest at Goindwal Sahib and the damaged ‘birs’ were sent there in a ‘palki’ escorted by the SDM and the DSP. Thereafter, the officials, along with panchayat members and other villagers, performed ‘ardas’, besides ‘paath’ of Sri Sukhmani Sahib.
Akali MLA Hari Singh Zira demanded an inquiry. A case was against unidentified persons. The SSP said the preliminary investigation indicated that a short circuit caused the fire. — OC
