10 injured in violent clash over control of gurdwara near Hanumangarh in Rajasthan

A violent conflict broke out between two factions over control of Gurdwara Mehtabgarh in Goluwala, near Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, resulting in injuries to at least ten people, including some minors. The attackers forcibly removed people present in the gurdwara.

The situation is described as tense but under control. As a precautionary measure, the administration has ordered the closure of educational institutions and suspended internet services. A heavy police presence has been deployed, with cops from 15 police stations and two units of Rajasthan Armed Constabulary stationed in the area.

A case has been filed against many people, with allegations of desecration levelled against them. According to the FIR registered under Sections 331(6), 307, 191(2), 191(3), 190, 127(2), 115(2), 223(B) and 161 of the BNS, about 50 people armed with country-made pistols and sharp-edged weapons breached the gurdwara premises by scaling the boundary wall and attacked devotees who were sleeping there.

Among the injured are Balkaran Singh, Kabul Singh, Simranjit Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Angrej Singh, Naib Singh, and Jaswinder Singh. Some of them were referred to Sriganganagar due to critical injuries. Harmeet Kaur, the chief sewadar of the gurdwara, alleged that the assailants snatched mobile phones from devotees and stole Rs 1.70 lakh.

The attempt to snatch control of the gurdwara was made even when prohibitory orders were issued by the administration.

The Goluwala police have named 16 persons in the FIR, and SHO Harbans Lal is investigating the case.