Land dispute: ‘Akhara’ locks horns with SGPC

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 30

The management of Brahmbutta Akhara, situated next to the Golden Temple, today thwarted an alleged attempt by the SGPC to raise a structure at an open space near the akhara’s gate.

The latter abandoned the construction and the matter was kept pending since SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar was not well and chief secretary Harcharan Singh was out of town.

Earlier in the day, ‘akhara’ officials stopped labourers from raising a structure at the spot. A heap of bricks is still lying there. Golden Temple manager Sulakhan Singh and manager of Sri Guru Ramdas Langar hall visited the spot and held talks with the ‘akhara’ officials.

The ‘akhara’, a centre of Udasin sect, is associated with Baba Sri Chand. Baba Joginder Singh of the akhara said the land was given to them in 2015 following the intervention of the district administration.

When contacted, SGPC chief secretary said it was a minor issue and would be sorted out amicably. He said the land belonged to the SGPC and they wanted to construct an enclosure to store fuel.