Chaos at Sri Harmandar Sahib: Sukhbir Badal Survives Assassination Attempt, Mastermind of 2004 Jailbreak Arrested.
||Black and White Digital News||
||Parvinder Singh December 04, 2024||
Amritsar – A shocking incident unfolded on Wednesday at the revered premises of Sri Harmandar Sahib, plunging Punjab into disbelief and alarm. A man attempted to assassinate Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal during a ‘seva’ ceremony under the directives of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Quick action by a vigilant sewadar thwarted the attempt, averting a major tragedy at one of Sikhism’s holiest sites.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, alongside other SAD leaders, was fulfilling a religious punishment as part of their spiritual penance when the incident occurred. Positioned near the Guru Ram Das Dwar as a ‘Chowkidar,’ Badal became the target of an armed assailant, identified as Narain Singh Chaura.
According to eyewitness accounts, Chaura opened fire directly at Badal. In a heroic act, a sewadar standing nearby instinctively deflected Chaura’s hand upward, causing the bullet to miss its mark. The shot, though fired within close quarters, failed to harm anyone, thanks to the sewadar’s presence of mind.
Narain Singh Chaura is no stranger to controversy. Known as the mastermind of the infamous Burail Jailbreak of 2004, Chaura facilitated the escape of
Jagtar Singh Hawara, Paramjit Singh Bheora, Jagtar Singh Tara, and Devi Singh. The jailbreak involved cutting off electricity to the prison, showcasing Chaura’s meticulous planning and audacity. His appearance at Sri Harmandar Sahib and the attempt on Badal’s life have raised troubling questions about security in Punjab.
The attack has sparked a political maelstrom. SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema condemned the incident, calling it a “dark day for Punjab.” Speaking to the press, he expressed gratitude to Guru Nanak for protecting Badal and praised the sewadar for his timely intervention. Cheema did not mince words in criticizing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government, accusing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of failing to maintain law and order in the state.
“I ask Bhagwant Mann, where do you want to take Punjab? This is a huge incident. Had the sewadar or security personnel not acted promptly, the consequences would have been catastrophic. A high-level judicial inquiry is imperative to uncover the truth behind this attack,” Cheema declared.
Despite the alarming incident, the SAD leaders vowed to continue their ‘seva’ as planned, reaffirming their commitment to fulfilling the directives of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
This brazen attack at Sri Harmandar Sahib, a global symbol of peace and faith, underscores the deteriorating security situation in Punjab. The involvement of Chaura, a figure linked to extremist elements, adds a sinister layer to the incident.
The public is now grappling with questions about how an individual with Chaura’s history could access such a high-security site. Critics are pointing fingers at the Punjab administration for lapses in security and intelligence, demanding stringent measures to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
As the SAD leaders continue their religious service amidst heightened security, the attack serves as a grim reminder of the challenges facing Punjab. While the sewadar’s bravery and divine intervention are celebrated, the larger question looms: is Punjab heading toward an era of renewed unrest? The demand for accountability and a thorough investigation grows louder, even as faith and resilience guide the Sikh community through this turbulent time.
