Incidents of sacrilege of Sikh scriptures were reported from Amritsar and Ferozepur districts on Tuesday.
Police said residents spotted a couple of torn pages from a ‘gutka’ (a small-sized Sikh holy book) on a heap of paddy straw on the outskirts of Hardoputli village in Ajnala subdivision of Amritsar district. Panchayat members rushed to the spot and took possession of the torn pages. The pages were taken to the village gurdwara and the desecration was reported to the police.
Later, Amritsar rural superintendent of police (SP, detective) Ranbir Singh reached the spot along with Ajnala deputy superintendent of police Tilak Raj and police officials from Jhander and Ajnala police stations. An investigation has been started.
Police registered a case under Section 295-A (hurting religious sentiments) of the Indian Penal Code against unidentified persons at the Jhander police station on the panchayat’s complaint.
In the other incident, 13 pages of a ‘gutka’ were found torn and thrown in a street at Zira, a subdivision of Ferozepur district, on Tuesday morning. Police reached the spot and began an investigation. When contacted, Hardiyal Singh Mann, senior superintendent of police (SSP), Ferozepur, said a case under Section 295-A of the IPC had been registered. “We have got vital clues to crack the case. The accused would be arrested soon,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh Makkar condemned the Ajnala incident. He asked the administration to spare no effort to catch hold of the culprit(s). In a statement, Makkar said such incidents seemed to be the work of some ignorant elements who were not aware of the importance of Guru Granth Sahib.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh Makkar condemned the Ajnala incident. He asked the administration to spare no effort to catch hold of the culprit(s). In a statement, Makkar said such incidents seemed to be the work of some ignorant elements who were not aware of the importance of Guru Granth Sahib.
{{/usCountry}}While appealing to the public to remain calm, Makkar condemned incidents of desecration as an attempt by some individuals to cause unrest in Punjab and disturb peace and harmony.