Amritsar Grenade Attack Appears to be 'Terrorist Act', Say Punjab Police; Two Suspects Arrested
Two motorcycle-borne masked youths threw a grenade at a religious congregation in Rajasansi area in Amritsar.
Chandigarh, November 18: The Punjab police on Sunday said the grenade attack on a religious congregation in Amritsar that claimed three lives and left over a dozen injured appears to be a “terrorist act”. The police also clarified said there was no specific input about any possible attack on Nirankari Bhavan. Two suspects from Bhatinda with live cartridges have been arrested in connection with the blast.
“It (this incident) appears to have a terror angle. Because it is against a group (of people) and it is not against any individual. There is no reason to throw a hand grenade on a group of people, so we will take it as a terrorist act. Till proven otherwise, prima facie we will take it as that,” Punjab Director General of Police Suresh Arora told PTI. “There was no issue with this group as such… There was no specific input on (Nirankari Bhavan),” he added. Amritsar Grenade Attack: Home Minister Rajnath Singh Speaks to CM Amarinder Singh; Vows to Punish Perpetrators.
Two motorcycle-borne masked youths threw a grenade at a religious congregation in Rajasansi area in Amritsar. Three people were killed and at least 15 others injured in the attack that took place on the Nirankari Satsang Bhawan of the Nirankari sect in Adliwala village. All victims were sect followers from nearby villages who had gathered for the Sunday weekly religious meeting. Amritsar Blast: Capt Amarinder Singh Announces Rs 5 Lakh Compensation for Kin of 3 Killed, Free Treatment to Injured.
Witnesses told the police that two youths on a motorcycle, their faces covered, forced entry to the sect campus by pointing a pistol at a woman volunteer at the gate. Following the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of deceased. He also directed the civic hospital to provide free treatment to those injured in the attack.
The Punjab CM also chaired a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation in the state. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Amarinder Singh, assuring "strong action" against those responsible for the grenade attack. Calling the Sunday attack a "reprehensible act of violence", the central minister expressed deep anguish over the death of innocents.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 18, 2018 05:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).