Sikh Factions Clash in Holy Shrine, 40 Hurt

Sikh moderates and extremists traded gunfire and rocks inside the Golden Temple complex today, and paramilitary soldiers entered the holy shrine to arrest 62 activists, police said. As many as 40 people were hurt.

At least 50 shots were fired by the rival groups. Police identified all those arrested as members of the militant wing of the Sikh political party, Akali Dal.

The fight generated tension in this Sikh holy city 250 miles northwest of New Delhi. Panic-stricken shopkeepers shuttered their stores and people fled indoors in neighborhoods surrounding the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine.

Paramilitary troops were reported still inside the temple complex after the clash, guarding a party faction meeting called by moderate leader Harchand Singh Longowal.

Bodyguards Fire Shots

The battle broke out shortly after Longowal entered the complex with armed bodyguards to address Akali Dal leaders. A bodyguard of Longowal fired shots in the air to disperse militant youths who surrounded the 55-year-old leader’s car as it approached the main temple hall.

The militants responded by hurling bricks and stones at the moderates, prompting other bodyguards of Longowal to fire more shots in the air.

A free-for-all followed, with rival groups trading rocks and bullets. Two people were seriously wounded in sword clashes, witnesses said.

Paramilitary troops, wielding rifles and metal-tipped bamboo staves, entered the complex to quell the violence and protect Longowal.

Longowal had called a meeting of district party chiefs inside the temple complex to raise support for the agreement he reached last week with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.