Attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara: SGPC to send 4-member delegation to Pak

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex body which manages Sikh shrines, will send a four-member delegation to Pakistan to take stock of the situation following a mob attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib.

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Strongly condemning the mob attack on the historic Sikh shrine, SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal on Saturday appealed to the Pakistan government to take strict action against culprits. "We strongly condemn the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan and appeal to the Pakistan government to take stringent action against the culprits and also ensure safety of Sikhs living there," Longowal said on Saturday.

"We will send a four-member delegation to Pakistan to take stock of the situation there," he said, adding that the delegation would also meet Sikh families in Nankana Sahib. "The delegation will also meet Pakistan's Punjab Governor and Chief Minister,” he further said.

He said the delegation will comprise Rajinder Singh Mehta, Roop Singh, Surjit Singh and Rajinder Singh. "We have spoken with the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib management committee...they told us the situation is normal now," he said. The SGPC chief said the sentiments of the Sikh community were hurt with the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib.

Longowal said that the SGPC would also take up this matter with the United Nations. Punjab's former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal also condemned the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. "We request the Government of India to immediately take steps so that peace and harmony is restored," he said. A mob reportedly attacked Gurdwara Nankana Sahib where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born.

Reports suggested that hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib pelted the Sikh pilgrims with stones. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had on Friday expressed concern over the mob attack on the Nankana Sahib gurdwara. 

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