Security at Baba Bakala Sahib Gurdwara, Amritsar, was reportedly unusually tight on late Friday night when a Nihang Singh was allegedly shot dead, causing a panic amongst devotees and the visitors. It occurred during a big crowd viewing the annual religious gathering.
Victim was identified as Raja Singh of Miglani village said to be a resident of the village. He had come to the fair in traditional Nihang warrior dress and was shot by unknowns as per preliminary information after allegedly quarreling with him. He was shot several times and was killed in the shooting.
Later, his body was found in an isolated behind the Baba Bakala Civil Hospital. The police arrested the corpse and sent it for a post-mortem examination. He was reportedly shot and has bullet marks on his chest, indicating that he may have been fired from close range. But it is unclear what really happened concerning the murder.
Securement of the accused who allegedly ‘ran off’ scene of the shooting immediately was not possible and is still not into their hands. Police teams are searching the area and checking CCTV footage from around the area for anyone involved.
Investigators are now working through some theories related to the motives for the crime, such as a grudge or a disagreement from a time past of during the fair. Police will also take statements from the victim’s family members and possible witnesses.
The accident has cast doubts on the security measures at the Rakhar Punya event attended by thousands of devotees and visitors annually. Clarifying what happened, and who is responsible for the killing, are now the jobs of the authorities.