Violent clash between Nihang Sikhs and police in Gurudwara, one policeman dead, 3 injured

There has been a violent clash between Nihang Sikhs and the police in Kapurthala district of Punjab.

A Punjab Police constable was killed in a clash with Nihang Sikhs in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala in the early hours of Thursday.

Three other police personnel were injured in this incident, who are currently admitted in the local hospital. The deceased constable has been identified as Jaspal Singh, who was posted at Sultanpur Lodhi police station. After the incident, heavy security forces have been deployed to control the situation.

Regarding the incident, a senior police officer said that the incident took place when the policemen had reached Sultanpur Lodhi to arrest some Nihangs (Sikhs carrying traditional weapons) in a case registered against them. Two Nihang groups have been at loggerheads for the last three days over control of Gurdwara Akal Bunga, located opposite the main Gurdwara Ber Sahib.

Kapurthala Superintendent of Police (SP) Tejbir Singh Hundal said that the policemen were standing on the road when the Nihangs started firing bullets at them. One constable was killed in this firing while two other policemen were injured. According to media reports, the number of injured is being made three.

A large number of policemen have been deployed after the accident. At present the situation is under control.