Violent Possession Row at Gurdwara Akal Bunga in Punjab’s Sultanpur Lodhi: Victim Identified as Punjab Home Guard Constable Jaspal Singh

Accident – Death – Obituary News : The land housing Gurdwara Akal Bunga in Punjab’s Sultanpur Lodhi has become the center of a violent possession row between two Nihang factions. However, it has now been revealed that the land is actually a Waqf Board property and is currently “leased” out to the Baba Balbir Singh faction, according to a top government official.

Punjab Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Gurinder Singh Dhillon, confirmed that the land belongs to the Waqf Board and was initially leased to the Baba Man Singh faction. However, in 2019, the lease was changed in favor of the Baba Balbir Singh faction. Neither Baba Balbir Singh nor Baba Man Singh have responded to calls and texts regarding the ongoing dispute.

The violent clash that occurred on Thursday resulted in the death of a Punjab Police home guard and several others being injured. The clash was initiated by a group of Nihangs who opened fire at the police inside the Sultanpur Lodhi gurudwara. This clash is just the latest episode in the ongoing succession war between Baba Balbir Singh and Baba Man Singh, who both claim to be the rightful chiefs of the Budha Dal sect of Nihang Sikhs.

According to a Nihang leader from Man Singh’s faction, after the death of the 13th chief Baba Santa Singh, two others, Baba Surjit Singh and Baba Prem Singh, led the Dal before Man Singh took over as the 16th chief. However, leaders associated with Balbir Singh argue that he is the “real heir” of Baba Santa Singh and therefore the 14th chief of Budha Dal. This dispute over the heirship of Budha Dal has frequently turned violent in the past.

In 2020, a clash erupted between the Balbir Singh and Man Singh factions over the possession of Gurdwara Akal Bunga, resulting in a murder. Baba Man Singh and his workers were booked in the murder case at that time. Following the deadly clash on Thursday, the police recovered several firearms, including a 12 bore pistol, a 315 bore rifle, and another 32 bore firing weapon. It is believed that the bullet that killed the Punjab Home Guard constable was fired from the 315 bore rifle.

The police are currently investigating the ownership and usage of the firearms. Two of the weapons were licensed in the name of Baba Man Singh faction Nihang Amana, while the third weapon is also likely to be licensed. The involvement of juveniles in the clash has further complicated the investigation.

To prevent further violence and maintain peace, the police have submitted a kalandara (a document detailing the situation) to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, seeking the imposition of section 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code. This section allows for preventive action in situations where there is a dispute over possession and a potential breach of peace. The administration is in the process of appointing a receiver to handle the possession row.

Despite the loss of a constable, the police have exercised restraint to avoid escalating the situation. The Nihangs affiliated with Baba Man Singh have since left Sultanpur Lodhi, accompanied by horses and Nihangs, as well as a palki carrying Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Opposition parties in Punjab, including the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress, have criticized the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for their handling of the clash. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal accused CM Mann of giving direct orders to the police, leading to the bloodshed. The leader of the opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, has called for the resignation of the Punjab CM, stating that he is unable to handle the state’s law and order..