4 booked for removing Nishan Sahib from disputed land

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 16

Four persons have been booked for dismantling the Nishan Sahib installed on disputed land in Guru Ki Wadali village. The land comes under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation. Members of the farming community, organised under the banner of a Kisan Union, removed the Nishan Sahib with a tractor. The video of the incident went viral on social media. The police immediately booked four persons for hurting religious sentiments.

The Nishan Sahib was installed by members of a community on the land vacated by the estate wing of MC recently. A month back, the MC had removed illegal possession by some farmers who were cultivating the land for several years. The MC had installed boards claiming ownership after taking possession of land from the farmers. Meanwhile, some persons who desired to construct a gurdwara on the land, installed a Nishan Sahib there 20 days back.

Yesterday, farmers removed the Nishan Sahib and claimed their possession on the six kanal of land. Meanwhile, MC officials claimed that they have written to the Commissioner of Police and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to intervene in the matter and remove the Nishan Sahib from government land with respect. “No one from the police and SGPC responded to our request. Then we sent a reminder last week,” said estate officer Dharminderjit Singh.

The MC owns around 13 acres of land in Guru Ki Wadali village which was being cultivated by local farmers. The estate wing of MC took possession of two chunks of land at various locations in the village. Sukhpal Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (West), said, “We have booked four persons immediately after the incident under Sections 298 of BNS. All the accused are absconding after the incident. Our teams are raiding their probable hideouts. Strict action would be taken against the culprits.”

Dharminderjit Singh, Estate Officer, MC said, “We have informed the police about the ownership of land. The MC is owner of the land and illegal possession will not be tolerated. Both the parties are trying to occupy the MC land illegally. We are writing to the Police Commissioner that we will not allow any party to occupy government land.”