Officials said that the clashes took place over the ownership of the gurdwara.
A policeman was killed and three others injured when a group of Nihang Sikhs opened fire at them in a gurdwara in Punjab's Kapurthala. Officials said that the clashes took place over the ownership of the gurdwara.
Police has arrested 10 people from the Nihang sect for allegedly encroaching the gurdwara, but the operation is still on. One of the Nihangs fired at the cops when they had gone to clear the premises.
The policemen were standing on the road when the Nihangs opened fire at them, Kapurthala Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Tejbir Singh Hundal told PTI.
Police used tear gas shells to control the situation. Senior officials have rushed to the site and police personnel in large numbers have been deployed in the area.
Officials said that at least 30 Nihangs are still inside the gurdwara.
There was a dispute between two factions of Nihangs over the possession of the gurdwara.
Some Nihangs owing allegiance to a faction led by Baba Mann Singh on Tuesday tried to capture the gurdwara and allegedly beat up two Nihangs of the other faction led by Sant Balbir Singh of Baba Budha Dal.
On Wednesday, they allegedly attacked the men of Baba Budha Dal in Bussowal village again. After entering the gurdwara, the Baba Maan Singh-led group tied Nirvair Singh with a rope while Jagjit Singh was attacked by a weapon and his ammunition, mobile phone and money were taken from him after which the group occupied the gurdwara.
Thereafter, police registered an FIR in the matter and have already arrested 10 Nihangs belonging to the Baba Mann Singh faction.
The Sultanpur Lodhi Police, immediately taking action into the matter, arrested 10 individuals associated with Baba Maan Singh's group after which the firing incident occurred.
Nihang is an order of Sikh warriors that traces its origin to the creation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. They are distinguished by their blue robes, decorated turbans and are often seen carrying weapons like swords and spears.
In 2020, Nihang protesters had chopped off the hand of a police officer in Patiala when he was trying to impose a Covid lockdown.