Seven booked for clash over gurdwara

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 22

A dispute over the management of a gurdwara in Mattewal turned ugly, when two groups clashed leaving one person injured. He has been identified as Buta Singh of the same village.

The police have booked seven persons on charges of attempt to murder and arrested one person, identified as Harpreet Singh of Mattewal village. Those booked are Hardayal Singh, Sardool Singh, another Sardool Singh, Daljit Singh, Bachitar Singh and Sulakhan Singh.

Both the groups had gathered outside the gurdwara for forming the management committee of the shrine when they entered into an argument over the post of secretary.

The injured, Buta Singh, stated to the police that on Sunday he along with his supporters and Hardayal Singh along with his supporters had gathered outside the local gurdwara for constituting the committee for managing the gurdwara affairs. He said at around 8.30 pm a seven-member committee was formed in which Mani Singh was appointed as secretary. However, Hardayal Singh and Daljit Singh raised objections over it and got into a heated argument.

He alleged that the accused immediately brought blunt and sharp weapons and attacked him. He said Daljit Singh attacked him with a sword, which hit him in his right shoulder, while Hardayal also attacked him with a kirpan, which hit him in his arm and hands as he tried to save himself. He said soon people started gathering, following which the assailants fled.