Police defuse tension between Namdhari factions at gurdwara

Sangrur,Punjab: Two days ahead of the state- level function to commemorate the Kuka movement in Malerkotla, tension prevailed at Chal village on Monday when two factions of the Namadhari sect gathered at a gurdwara.

A convoy of Thakur Dalip Singh, whom International Namdhari Sangat had declared their successor, along with his men, visited t he gurdwara. Factionalism in the Namdhari sect had come to light after Thakur Udai Singh was declared successor of the sect after the death of Satguru Jagjit Singh in December.

Senior superintendent of police Harcharan Singh Bhullar said tension prevailed after supporters of Thakur Udai Singh gathered around Namdhari gurdwara in the village, where Dalip Singh was reciting religious hymns. “Acting swiftly to avoid a clash between the two groups, police were deployed around the venue to defuse the situation,” the SSP said.

He added that Dalip also visited house of one of his supporters in the village for lunch.

“Police force under the supervision of the Amargarh DSP has been directed to remain vigilant to avoid any untoward incident,” the SSP added. A state- level function to commemorate the Kuka movement will be organised at Malerkotla on January 17.

Source: The Tribune