NEW DELHI, India— Rival factions of Nihang’s fought with guns and swords Friday at a Gurdwara Fateh garh Sahib in Punjab state, leaving at least three dead and six injured in a dispute over which side would lead a religious ceremony, the Press Trust of In said,

More than a dozen people were attested by police who were rushed to the temple outside Patiala, about 125 miles northwest of New Delhi, the domestic news agency said,

Official sources told the Press. Trust the battle broke out when the two factions of Nihangs, the ‘warrior sect of the Sikh religion quarreled over which would lead a religious procession ending a two day festival known as Jor Mela.

Members of both sides exchanged gunfire and attacked each other with traditional Sikh swords,

At least three Nihangs were Killed and six other people wounded, including a woman, Press ‘Trust said.

‘The Press Trust said one Nihang faction comprised followers of Baba Sant Singh, who was excommunicated from the Sikh religion for overseeing for the New Delhi government the reconstruction of portions of the Golden Temple of Amritsar, the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion.

Large parts of the temple were damaged in June 1984 army assault against Sikh militants using the sprawling comples as a base for 8 terrorist campaign for independence for Sikh dominated Punjab.

The other faction involved in Friday’s fights is headed by Baba Pritam Singh, who was appointed to replace Baba Sant Singh as head of a Nihang group known as the Buddha Dal, the Press Trust said.

The battle came as state officials. extended a dusk to dawn curfew indefinitely in the town of Gurdaspur, about 240 miles northwest of New Delhi, where one person was killed Tuesday in clashes between Hindus and Sikhs.

‘The incident was sparked by the construction of makeshift wooden vendors stalls by Sikhs on land ‘owned by a Hindu temple.

Most businesses in Hindu dominated areas of the town were closed Friday in observance of a protest strike called by two militant Hindu organizations, the Shiv Sena and the Punjab Brahman Sabha.

Sikhism was founded in the 16th century as a mystical, monotheistic alternative to Hinduism and Islam, but developed a militaristic tradition as Sikhs fought back against the oppression of the Moslem Mogul rulers of 17th century India, Male Sikhs all take the name Singh, meaning lion, as a symbol of courage.

 

Article extracted from this publication >> Article extracted from this publication >> January 3, 1986