Sanctity ‘violated’, markets shut in Anandpur Sahib

Anandpur Sahib, Sept 14

Political parties as well as religious organisations today condemned the alleged violation of sanctity of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib by a Ludhiana man yesterday. Traders kept their shops in the town shut while lawyers struck work at the local court in protest.

Suspect linked to dera: Akal Takht

Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh claimed the accused was a dera follower and that his father was part of a seven-member dera committee.

The Bar association also passed a resolution against pleading the case of the accused in court. Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, in a video message from the UK, said the incident had hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community. Alleging the accused was a dera follower, Giani Harpreet claimed his father was part of a seven-member dera committee. “The real culprits should be exposed as this act had hurt the sentiments of Sikh community globally,” he said. Ludhiana resident Paramjit Singh was nabbed by security guards yesterday for smoking on the Takht premises. Later, the police arrested the accused. According to sources, the accused was an addict. His wife had claimed he was schizophrenic. The cigarette found on the accused allegedly had cannabis, said the sources. — TNS