Punjab: 1 Cop Killed, 5 Injured In Nihang Sikhs' Open Firing Over Gurdwara Control Dispute In Kapurthala

In the early hours of Thursday (23 November), a violent confrontation at Gurdwara Akal Bunga in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, resulted in the death of one police officer and injuries to five others, Times of India reported.

The incident, a firefight between two factions of Nihangs, has been brewing since Tuesday morning over the control of the gurdwara. The police were present at the site to resolve the dispute and remove one group of Nihangs from the premises.

On Wednesday, Vatsla Gupta, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Kapurthala, released a press statement. It revealed that Baba Balbir Singh, a Nihang leader from Budha Dal, has overseen the gurdwara for several years. Furthermore, two individuals, Nirvair Singh and Jagjit Singh, have been managing its day-to-day operations under his leadership.

On Tuesday morning, a band of 15-20 Nihangs, headed by Mann Singh, arrived at the location. They tied up Nirvair, assaulted Jagjit, and seized control of the gurdwara. The police have since lodged a case of attempted murder, among other charges, against this group.

SSP Gupta reported that the same group of Nihangs attempted to seize another dera belonging to Baba Balbir Singh in the village of Boosowal road on Wednesday. Upon receiving this information, the police promptly arrived on the scene and arrested 10 individuals.

In March 2020, the two groups also engaged in a violent conflict that resulted in the death of one individual. A murder case, among other charges, was filed on March 15, 2020. One of the ten Nihangs arrested was also implicated in this previous case.

Authorities attempted to convince the Nihang group, under the leadership of Mann Singh, to vacate the premises, but their efforts were rebuffed. The group insisted that the gurdwara was rightfully theirs and accused the police of being unjust.

They went so far as to declare their readiness for a fight with dire consequences. A significant police presence was maintained around the gurdwara on Wednesday, leading to a sustained atmosphere of tension throughout the night.

On Thursday morning, law enforcement initiated a significant operation to displace the Nihangs, during which they started shooting, resulting in the death of officer Jaspal Singh. A bullet fatally struck his head, causing instant death on the scene. Those injured in the incident were quickly transported to the civil hospital in Sultanpur Lodhi.

High-ranking law enforcement officers have arrived at the location, and they are currently working to alleviate the tension through dialogue.

The Nihangs reported that the initial attack from the police occurred around 4 am. They relayed to the press that they only responded after tear gas shells and bullets were fired at them.

They've firmly stated their intention to maintain control over the Nihang Chhaavan gurdwara, vowing to counteract any police force used against them. They assert that the gurdwara was originally theirs, but allege that Balbir Singh leveraged his police connections to oust them previously. They also claim that the police are once again siding with Balbir Singh in the current dispute.