SGPC men clash with protesters over missing ‘saroops’, many hurt

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 15

Turbans were tossed and several persons received injuries at the Golden Temple complex today when the SGPC taskforce attempted to prevent activists from joining a sit-in against the alleged inaction in the missing ‘saroop’ case. Even mediapersons were manhandled by the SGPC taskforce, which damaged their cameras.

Numerous passages leading to the shrine and SGPC-run inns were obstructed since early morning with tin sheets.

Activists of the Satkar Committee and other Sikh bodies staged a protest throughout the night outside the main entrance gate of Teja Singh Samundri Hall. Their talks with SGPC officials failed to yield any conclusion yesterday.

The situation took an ugly turn in the morning when some Sikh activists and Nihang organisations, which were to join the agitation, were intercepted by the SGPC taskforce.

Much to the inconvenience of devotees, the three sides that lead to the Golden Temple were blocked.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee head Balbir Singh Muchhal claimed the manager of the Golden Temple had submitted an apology on behalf of SGPC men who misbehaved with his colleagues.

The protesters demanded that the SGPC should disclose the whereabouts of 328 missing ‘saroops’, initiate criminal proceedings against the erring officials and make the investigation report public as they feared that many influential officials and political leaders were involved in the issue.

SGPC spokesperson Kulwinder Singh said, “There were five or six persons donning the ‘Nihang bana’ who created a ruckus in the Golden Temple complex. When they were intercepted by the taskforce, they used abusive language which ultimately led to the clash.”

The Satkar Committee members who were conducting the protest in a peaceful manner are in contact with the SGPC management and talks are on to clarify their queries.”