Amritsar, July 10: Ongoing social media tussle for one-upmanship among Nihang organisations and Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee turned bloody on Monday as the Satkar committee members attacked and injured two Nihangs at Government Medical College Hospital here.
Manjit Singh, a Nihang, was critically injured as he was attacked with a spear.
Ranjit Singh ‘Bhittewad’, a Nihang, was allegedly injured in a clash with Satkar committee members on Sunday and admitted to GMC Hospital. The tension had been brewing between the two groups for the past few days as members of each group were trying to show the other in bad light.
Both groups had met on Sunday near Chogawan to settle the issue but it ended up in manhandling of Satkar Committee leaders Ranjit Singh and Sukhdev Singh. Ranjit Singh had recently uploaded a video degrading Nihangs and alleged that they consume drugs and indulge in other vices.
A video of him sitting on ground in mud-stained clothes and surrounded by Nihangs was also uploaded on social media on Sunday.
A police official said the Monday attack by Satkar committee members seemed to be an act of revenge. But, Nihang leaders claimed that Satkar panel members had attacked their member ‘Bhittewad’ on Sunday while he was on way to attend a meeting.
Baba Narain Singh, jathedar, Misl Shaheeda Tarna Dal, said, “The incident took place when Satkar committee leader Ranjit Singh was attending a meeting at Chogawan. When our members came to know of the attack at Bhittewad village, a few members hurled blows at him in the meeting.”
He accused Satkar committee leaders Balbir Singh Muchal, Sukhjit Singh Khosa and Paramjit Singh Akali for Monday attack and asked the police to register an FIR against them. Amrik Singh Powar, DCP, visited the hospital after the incident and heavy police guard was deployed there. He said action would be taken as per law.
Meanwhile, Muchal denied having any hand in the attack. He said their members had met the police on Monday to demand registration of a case against Nihangs for manhandling of their leader. He said their member Ranjit Singh was undergoing treatment.
SHO Prem Paul said a case of attempt to murder was registered against Sukhjit Singh Khosa and 15-20 unidentified men.
Source Tribune India
