An unidentified person, armed with an iron rod, injured five people in an alleged attack on the premises of Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, on Friday.
The condition of one Sikh youth from Bathinda is reportedly serious and is currently undergoing treatment in the emergency wing of the Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences & Research at Vallah.
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Two among the injured are sewadars (attendants) of the Golden Temple while three devotees hail from Mohali, Bathinda and Patiala, the police said.
The police have arrested the accused whose identity is yet to be revealed and his aide who accompanied him to the Golden Temple.
The attack took place inside the oldest Guru Ram Das inn near the community kitchen around noon when Sikh devotees had gathered to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple also called Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib on the occasion of the new Nanakshahi year.
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“The second accused allegedly conducted recce along with the one who attacked devotees,” said a police officer.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) that manages the Sikh worship place has strongly condemned the attack and described it part of a larger conspiracy.
The SGPC said that the assailant started attacking the devotees with an iron rod, out of the blue.
“SGPC has urged the police administration to take immediate and stringent action against the culprits and to disclose their identities to the public,” said SGPC secretary Partap Singh.
He has called for a thorough police investigation to uncover the truth.
All the injured individuals were immediately admitted to the SGPC-run Sri Guru Ramdas Hospital where all medical arrangements are being provided by the organisation, he said.
He said that the accused were apprehended and handed over to the police due to SGPC’s swift response and using the CCTV cameras installed within the Sri Darbar Sahib complex.
Singh stated such incidents are aimed at disturbing the peace at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib and attempts are being made to instill fear among global Sikh devotees.
The attack took place inside the oldest Guru Ram Das inn near the community kitchen, the police added. (Express File Photo) 
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