SULTANPUR LODHI: One police personnel was killed and five were injured in firing between Nihangs and cops at Gurdwara Akal Bunga in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, in the early hours on Thursday.

Tension has been prevailing between two groups of Nihangs over control of the gurdwara since Tuesday morning.

Police were at the gurdwara to clear the possession by a group of Nihangs.Kapurthala SSP Vatsla Gupta on Wednesday issued a press note stating that Nihang leader Baba Balbir Singh of Budha Dal has been in control of the gurdwara for the last few years and two of his men – Nirvair Singh and Jagjit Singh - were looking after its affairs.On Tuesday morning, a group of 15-20 Nihangs led by Mann Singh came there and after tying Nirvair they attacked Jagjit and took control of the gurdwara.

Police registered a case of attempt to murder among other offenses against the group.SSP Gupta said that Nihangs of the same group also tried to take control of another dera of Baba Balbir Singh at village Boosowal road on Wednesday where police quickly reached after getting the information and arrested 10.Both the groups had a bloody clash in March 2020 also in which one person was killed.

A case was registered on March 15, 2020, for murder and other offenses at that time and one of the 10 arrested Nihangs was wanted in that case also.Police tried to persuade the Nihang group led by Mann Singh to leave the place but they refused stating that this gurdwara originally belonged to them and police were unfair to them.

They had even said that this time they were ready for a do-or-die battle.

Heavy deployment of police remained around the gurdwara on Wednesday and tension continued during the night too.Early on Thursday, police began a fresh and major operation to remove them during which Nihangs started firing at them and one personnel Jaspal Singh was killed.

A bullet had pierced his head and he died on the spot.

The injured were rushed to the civil hospital, Sultanpur Lodhi.Senior police officials have already reached the place and efforts are on to diffuse the tension through talks.Nihangs have said that they were first attacked by police at around 4am.

Talking to media they said that tear gas shells and bullets were fired at them and only then they retaliated.They have made it clear that they would stick to their guns and would not give up the possession of the gurdwara - a Nihang Chhaavan – and in case of use of force by the police they would retaliate.

They claimed that this originally belonged to them but Balbir Singh used his influence in police to throw them out earlier.

This time too the police are collaborating with Balbir Singh, they alleged.WatchCop killed, 3 injured as Nihang Sikh opens fire in Punjab's Kapurthala over Gurdwara ownership