In a shocking development, a Punjab Police constable died and at least five police personnel were injured on Thursday in a deadly clash with Nihang Singhs in Kapurthala’s Sultanpur Lodhi. As per Sultanpur Lodhi SHO Lakhwinder Singh, a policeman Jaspal Singh has died in the firing. Another employee got injured after being hit by a kirpan on his finger. The injured are undergoing treatment in the civil hospital. In a follow-up action by the Punjab Police, at least ten Nihangs have been arrested. Now, the question arises why did Nihang Singhs and Punjab clash or what is the reason for the Nihang Singhs-Punjab Police clash? Below is what we know so far-
Why did Nihang Singh and the Punjab Police clash?
As per the information received, Nihangs fired at policemen who reached Gurdwara Akal Bunga to prevent a clash between two groups of Nihangs over taking possession of the disputed shrine that is located close to the historical Gurdwara Ber Sahib.
Reports suggest that two rival Nihang groups have staked claims over the ownership of the Gurdwara. The clash between Nihang Singh and the Police erupted after the cops tried to vacate the Gurdwara from one group manned by Mann Singh. His members allegedly started firing indiscriminately at the police team, killing a police constable and injuring five policemen, who are presently admitted to the local hospital.
Now, heavy forces have been deployed due to the tension prevailing in the area just days ahead of the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji on November 27.
The Nihangs, who are heavily armed, have locked the gurdwara from inside. The police have barricaded the whole area and initiated talks with one group to vacate the possession.
10 Nihangs arrested after Kapurthala Clash
Police have arrested 10 Nihangs for occupying Dera Peer Geb on village Busowal Road. Some of them are also wanted in the murder case registered in a similar clash in 2020. According to SSP Vatsala Gupta, for many years Baba Budha Dal in front of Gurudwara Sri Ber Sahib was under the control of 96 crore Baba Balbir Singh Singh, on whose behalf he had placed two of his servants in Gurudwara Akal Bunga, whose names were Nirvair Singh and Jagjit Singh.
On Tuesday, November 21, at 8.30 am, on behalf of Sant Baba Maan Singh, the head of the Baba Budha Dal, along with 15-20 of his companions, he forcibly entered Gurudwara Shri Akal Bunga Sahib. After that, they tied Nirvair Singh with ropes attacked Jagjit Singh with weapons, snatched their weapons, mobile phones, and money, and captured Gurudwara Sahib.
On the statement of Jagjit Singh, a case has been registered against Baba Maan Singh and his 15-20 companions under various sections in Sultanpur Lodhi police station. On Wednesday, 10 Nihang Singhs, made an attempt to capture Dera Peer Geb near village Busowal Road, the second camp of Baba Balbir Singh.