A Punjab Police home guard was killed, and several others were injured early on Thursday, after a group of Nihangs opened "unprovoked" fire at them inside a gurdwara in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala. The incident, investigators said, took place when a police team had arrived at Gurdwara Akal Bunga Sahib to resolve a dispute between two groups of Nihangs. At least 10 people have been arrested by the police so far, who have also recovered some arms and ammunition from their possession. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann later announced a compensation of Rs 2 crore to the kin of the deceased home guard, identified as Jaspal Singh, a resident of Maniala village of Kapurthala. The injured policemen were identified as DSP Bhulath Bharat Bhushan Saini, ASIs Sukhdev Singh, Ashok Kumar, and Gurmeet Singh, constables Bubblepreet Singh, Surinder Singh, Amandeep Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Harjinder Singh. According to the police a dispute between two factions of Nihangs — one led by Baba Mann Singh and the other by Baba Balbir Singh of the Baba Budha Dal — had been brewing over the possession of the gurdwara for some days. The group led by Baba Balbir Singh had been managing the gurdwara for the past many years. On Tuesday, a group of 15-20 Nihangs from Baba Mann Singh group took control over the gurdwara and allegedly thrashed two Nihangs — Nirvair Singh and Jagjit Singh — of the rival faction. The attackers also seized some weapons, phone and money. Based on Jagjit Singh’s statement, a case was filed against Baba Man Singh and his associates at Sultanpur Lodhi police station. On Thursday morning, when a team of police reached the gurdwara to get it vacated, some Nihangs opened fire in which the home guard was killed. A police officer said that a bullet hit home guard in the head killing him on the spot. Special Director General of Police Arpit Shukla said there was "unprovoked" firing at the policemen after they reached the spot. Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Tejbir Singh Hundal said while some policemen were standing on the road, a few Nihangs opened fire at them. The police, in retaliation, first fired warning shots in the air, before firing tear gas shells at the Nihangs, who also hurled stones at the policemen from inside the gurdwara premises. Heavy security has been deployed outside the gurdwara after the incident. An eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said that gunfire was heard from various directions for a short while in the morning, before the police resorted to firing tear gas shells at the Nihangs. At least four Nihangs were injured, the police said. Some Nihangs, however, while talking to reporters later claimed that it was the police who first attacked them around 4.30 am. Senior officials, including Additional DGP Dhillon, DIG S Bhoopati, DIG Rajpal Singh and Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Karnail Singh later rushed to the spot and talks were held with the Baba Mann Singh faction. After a two-hour long meeting, the Deputy Commissioner Singh said it has been agreed that the Baba Mann Singh faction will vacate the gurdwara. Under section 145 (procedure where dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause breach of peace) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a receiver, who will be a government employee, will be appointed to manage the gurdwara for now, the deputy commissioner told reporters. Special DGP Shukla said a murder case has been registered. Ten Nihangs belonging to the Baba Mann Singh faction have been arrested. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a compensation of Rs 2 crore for the deceased. Of the compensation announced, Rs 1 crore will be given as ex-gratia by the state government, with the remaining payment being made by HDFC bank as part of the insurance cover. Mann said that this initiative is in recognition of the immense contribution of this son of soil towards maintaining law and order in the state. AAP MP Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal also visited the gurdwara later. Shukla said that the government will bear all the expenses of the treatment of policemen. He also said that a son of deceased home guard Jaspal Singh would be recruited by the Punjab Police when he is eligible. ADGP Law and Order Gurvinder Singh Shillon also met the injured policemen. with PTI
