Incidents of explosions near Sri Harmandir Sahib result of government’s failure: SGPC

11 May 2023 Amritsar Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami addresses the media regarding an overnight blast in the vicinity of the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Thursday. A third blast in less than a week shook the area around the Sikh holy site of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Indian police said on May 11. PHOTO-PRABHJOT GILL AMRITSAR

Amritsar : SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami has condemned the explosion that took place in Galiara (corridor) park outside Sri Darbar Sahib last night and termed it as a failure of the Punjab government.

SGPC President, who took stock of the ground situation said that if the government had seriously investigated the previous two blasts on the heritage street, then this latest incident would not have happened.

Addressing the press conference, Dhami said that after hearing a loud explosion at around 12:10 am on Thursday, the SGPC employees immediately came into action, and with the help of CCTV cameras they performed the duty of identifying the accused persons who committed this crime besides nabbing and handing them over to the police.

He said that the employees of SGPC and Darbar Sahib carefully checked the CCTV cameras and nabbed the main accused from the verandah of Sri Guru Ramdas Ji Niwas (sarai) at around 4:15 am and handed him over to the police. Along with him, two other suspects were also nabbed and handed over to the police administration, he said.


Dhami said that after the incident, the SGPC employees worked with a professional approach and achieved success. He said that during the investigation, the Amritsar Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police, along with other senior police officers were also present, and took necessary action in cooperation. He also appreciated the duty performed by the SGPC with responsibility.


SGPC President said that it is extremely worrying that efforts are being made to disturb the situation in Punjab. He also expressed apprehension that such incidents near Sri Harmandar Sahib are part of some deep-rooted conspiracy. He said that the government should think deeply about it and fulfill its due responsibilities. He appealed to the Sangat to come to Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib to pay obeisance without fear.

On this occasion, the SGPC President said that although a large number of CCTV cameras are already installed at Sachkhand Harmandar Sahib, these will now be expanded further. He said that cameras will be installed at suitable places along the Galiara (corridor) besides Gurdwara Santokhsar Sahib to Gurdwara Saragarhi Sahib on the heritage street. He said it will also be considered and discussed to install the scanners at the entrances of the Sikh shrine. He asked the government to give special attention to the development and maintenance of Heritage Street and Galiara.

Dhami also held a meeting with the SGPC officials regarding the explosion incidents in the proximity to Darbar Sahib and gave necessary instructions regarding the management. On this occasion, he told the officials that the employees in every Gurdwara Sahib including Harmandar Sahib should be alert and perform their duties diligently.