P K Jaiswar & Gurbaxpuri
Tarn Taran, April 4. Stopping thieves from stealing a motorcycle from outside the main entrance of Darbar Sahib here proved fatal for a young granthi of the shrine.
Sukhchain Singh (28) was shot dead by armed thieves who fled, abandoning the motorcycle, after the crime. Sukhchain was rushed to the local Civil Hospital which referred him to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar. He died on the way.
The gurdwara management shut its offices in protest against the incident that occurred at about 6.30 am.
Sukhchain spotted two youths taking away a motorcycle that reportedly belonged to a devotee. Sukhchain got suspicious and walked towards them to make enquires. The youths took out their weapon and shot him in the chest. They fled through the gurdwara’s langar hall.
Manmohanjit Singh, a gurdwara employee, and Mukhtar Singh Randhawa, a devotee, rushed the injured granthi to the local Civil Hospital.
Sewadar Nirvail Singh tried to stop the fleeing youths but in vain. The criminals intercepted a motorcyclist and forced him to drive them towards Amritsar. As they neared Thathi Khara village , 4 km from here, they got down and left in a Zen car waiting for them. Arjun Singh, gurdwara manager, has urged the police to take stringent action against the attackers.
Manminder Singh, Tarn Taran SSP, said the police had registered a case under Sections 302, 511, 379 and 34, IPC, and Sections 25/54and 59 of the Arms Act. Akal Takht Jatheda Gurbachan Singh and SGPC chief Avtar Singh has condemned the incident.
