Synopsis
On March 15, the Shiromani Akali Dal condemned the grenade attack at Thakur Dwara Mandir, Amritsar, and called for a judicial inquiry to find the attackers. Akali leader Daljit Cheema emphasized the need for accountability from the government.Key Takeaways
- Shiromani Akali Dal condemns grenade attack.
- Calls for judicial investigation.
- Incident labeled as an attempt to disrupt peace in Punjab.
- Explosion caused damage but no injuries occurred.
- Authorities suspect local youth involvement.
Chandigarh, March 15 (NationPress) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) expressed strong disapproval regarding the recent explosion near the Thakur Dwara Mandir in Amritsar and has called for a judicial investigation to uncover those responsible.
In a statement, Akali Dal representative Daljit Cheema mentioned that the incident, which has hurt the community's sentiments, appears to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt harmony and peace in Punjab.
"This marks the 13th explosion in the vicinity and reflects a total breakdown of law and order in the state," he stated.
"Both the Union and state governments must take moral accountability for such events and refrain from meddling in the religious matters of Sikhs while halting provocations against those who aim to unlawfully seize control of Sikh institutions. Such actions have previously proven hazardous and are pushing Punjab in an adverse direction. Therefore, both the state and Union authorities should heed past lessons," Cheema further remarked.
In a bold act, two individuals on a motorcycle launched a grenade at the temple, resulting in a significant explosion. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
CCTV footage captured the assailants arriving on a motorbike adorned with a flag. After a brief wait, one of them threw the grenade before both fled the scene. Authorities suspect this attack was orchestrated to instill fear during the Holi celebrations. The blast caused damage to the temple’s wall, but luckily, a priest and his family, residing on the temple’s upper level, remained unharmed.
Local resident Kiranpreet Singh, a lawyer, recounted, "Around midnight, two individuals arrived on a motorcycle, paused outside the Thakur Dwara Mandir, conducted reconnaissance, and then threw a grenade at the temple. The explosion was so fierce that it shattered windows of nearby buildings. The police arrived shortly after. Based on the evidence, this was indeed a grenade attack."
Commissioner of Amritsar Police, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, informed the media that efforts are being made by Pakistan to disrupt the local atmosphere, with some local youth involved. He urged the youth to refrain from engaging in such activities.
State minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal confirmed that some miscreants threw a grenade at the temple post-midnight. "The situation is under control. Two suspects have been identified and will be apprehended within a day," he assured.
