Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar hurt in attack

ANANDPUR SAHIB: Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Mal Singh survived an attempt on his life when a 25-year-old youth attacked him with a kirch (a kind of knife) here today. The jathedar was near his residence when the assailant, identified as Joga Singh, attacked him with a kirch, inflicting injuries on the thigh.

Jathedar Giani Mal Singh

Tribune News Service

Anandpur Sahib, October 6

Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Mal Singh survived an attempt on his life when a 25-year-old youth attacked him with a kirch (a kind of knife) here today. The jathedar was near his residence when the assailant, identified as Joga Singh, attacked him with a kirch, inflicting injuries on the thigh.

Eyewitnesses said Joga Singh tried to stab the jathedar in the stomach, but security personnel present around him acted swiftly. However, the jathedar suffered a minor injury in the melee.

A few days ago, security of the jathedar was beefed up in view the controversy over exonerating Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. However, the reason behind the present attack could not be established immediately. Around 11.30 am, Mal Singh was going to his residence after holding a meeting with new manager of the takht. Joga Singh, employed as a granthi on temporary basis at Baba Gurdittaji Gurdwara at Kiratpur Sahib, followed him and attacked him near his house.

Joga Singh, a native of Amritsar district, was later handed over to the police. Police officials, including Ropar SSP Varinderpal Singh, refused to divulge any details about the attack and the assailant.

Talking to the media after the attack, Mal Singh said he had no idea about the motive of the assailant. When asked whether the attack was due to resentment among Sikhs over the exoneration of the dera chief, he said the decision was taken keeping in view interests of the Sikh community. The decision could be reviewed in case Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh considered it necessary, he said.

Local MLA and Punjab Industry Minister Madan Mohan Mittal and Education Minister Daljeet Singh Cheema have condemned the incident. Some fringe elements were trying to spoil peace in the state, they said. Cheema said the government was committed to providing foolproof security to all jathedars. The attack on Jathedar Mal Singh has put a question mark on the arrangements made by the state government for his security.