Ambala police fire tear gas at protesting Sikh sangat seeking immediate arrest of Gursimran Singh Mand
PTC Web Desk: The situation in Ambala turned tense on Thursday after the police fired tear gas shells at a large gathering of Sikh sangat, as anger over the ongoing Panjokhra Sahib controversy boiled over. The protesters are demanding the arrest of Gursimran Singh Mand, chief of the International Anti-Khalistani Terrorist Front (IAKTF).
A couple of days ago, Mand was assaulted by a mob outside Gurdwara Shri Panjokhra Sahib, located around 10 km from Ambala city. According to the police, the attack took place on the road leading to the gurdwara and the mob damaged his car, smashing the windshield and other window panes.
The mob had attacked Mand with sharp weapons and sticks. His son, Bhavjot, along with three Ambala police personnel deployed for his security, were seriously injured in the incident. The crowd also allegedly jostled with the security personnel guarding Mand, who was under Y-plus security cover.
A day after the assault, Sikh community leaders pushed back against the narrative of Mand being a victim, accusing him instead of not following gurdwara protocol and provoking the gathered sangat.
Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) president Jagdish Singh Jhinda, who reached the gurdwara after the incident, said Mand routinely made controversial statements against the community. He said with Gurparb celebrations underway, the passage near the gurdwara had been closed for vehicles, but Mand still arrived by car, refused to get out and stayed seated inside for nearly 15 minutes without following the set protocol.
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HSGMC member Gurtej Singh said a meeting was held at the gurdwara following the incident, where it was decided that a delegation would approach the police and hold talks with the Haryana Government to ensure a fair investigation. He claimed that three to four persons had suffered serious injuries due to rash driving and that Mand had entered a designated no-vehicle zone while using provocative language against the sangat.
Anger within the Sikh community grew steadily as no FIR was registered against Mand despite repeated complaints. Large numbers of people once again gathered at Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib to press their demand for action.
Community representatives issued a clear warning to the administration: if a case was not registered against Mand by August 13, Sikhs from Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh would gather in large numbers and take a major decision on how to proceed.
Protesters also accused the administration of detaining Sikh youth in connection with the case, alleging that a young man had been taken into police custody that same morning. They demanded his immediate release, warning of further protests if he was not let go, and insisted that action in the case should be equal and non-discriminatory towards all parties involved.
The situation escalated further after two arrests were made in connection with the case, deepening the resentment that had already been building within the community. Following a meeting of HSGMC members at Panjokhra Sahib on Tuesday, dissatisfaction was expressed over the police action, and a Gurmatta (religious resolution) was passed on the matter.
- PTC NEWS
