DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER RANDHAWA FORMS S.I.T., REPORT BE PRESENTED IN TWO DAYS

AMRITSAR, DECEMBER 19: Terming the sacrilege incident at Sri Darbar Sahib a most unfortunate, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Sunday said that a Special Investigation Team under DCP Law & Order had been constituted, which would present investigation report within two-days.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who is also holding the Home portfolio, revealed this while interacting with media persons here. Earlier, he also held a meeting with Civil and Police officers at Police Lines where IG Border Range Mohnish Chawla, Police Commissioner Dr. Sukhchain Singh Gill, Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khaira, SSP (Rural) Rakesh Kaushal, S Rajinder Singh Mehta, S Harjap Singh Suktanwind and S Sukhdev Singh Bhoorakona from SGPC were also present.

After the meeting, Deputy CM said that it was a very unfortunate incident and the police will get into the bottom of it. Randhawa also spoke to Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib and President SGPC. He said that they would get information regarding each and every aspect of the incident.

It is also come to fore during preliminary investigation that the accused entered in the Sri Darbar Sahib complex at 11:30 am and he was stayed at Parikarma of the holiest shrine, which termed that the accused was here with a target. He also said that the CCTV footages of markets adjoining Sri Darbar Sahib were also being scanned to ascertain that the accused came from which way and was there anyone with him. The State Government will enquire the entire incident jointly with the SGPC. He also made it clear that the accused was not identified so far and his post-mortem is being conducted shortly. He said Punjab Police in association with the SGPC will ensure that the Gurdwaras have its CCTV cameras, which should be fully operational.

Answering a query, Randhawa said that without permission of the SGPC Punjab Police can not enter in Sri Darbar Sahib.

Deputy CM also mentioned that the Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed a resolution in 2018 to amend section 298 into 295-A  but so far no action had been taken so far by the Centre. He said that section 295-A had a provision of 10-years imprisonment if anyone indulged in the sacrilege of any religion. The State Government will also send a letter to the Centre for approval of section 295-A.

Reiterating that the Punjabis will tackle such  attempts with communal harmony, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Punjab’s peace and harmony would be maintained at all cost.

Randhawa also issued directions DGP, all Commissioners of Police and SSPs to strengthen round the clock security around all Gurudwaras/Temples/ Mosques / Churches and other religious places. He said that at religious places the CCTVs should be functional in the complexes where Guru Granth Sahib are placed besides other religious scriptures in all religious places. He also said that police should have active liaison with SGPC and all gurudwaras committees and ensure that Guru Granth Saab should not be left unattended at any time.