Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

India hopes US Gurudwara attack doesn't happen again

August 06, 2012 20:27 IST

India on Monday hoped that US authorities will ensure "conditions" to prevent a repeat of violent acts like the attack on a Gurudwara in Wisconsin amid an outrage over the incident in the country, especially in Punjab.

Avtar Singh Makkar, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee -- controlling body of Sikh Gurdwaras in India -- appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up the matter with US President Barack Obama.

"Security arrangements need to be tightened so that an eye could be kept on those who visit the Sikh Shrines. If need be, we can do the same on our own. The Sikh Sangat in United States has expressed their resentment and have asked me to send a high level team to investigate the matter," Jathedaar Makkar told rediff.com

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while expressing shock over the shooting yesterday said what was more painful was the fact that this "senseless act of violence" should be targeted at a religious place.

An anguished Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal asked the prime minister to take up with the Obama administration the issue of safety and security of Sikhs living in the US while the Sikh religious leadership said the attack by a lone white gunman was a "security lapse" on the part of US government.

Condemning the attack, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said it does not fit into the proclaimed policies of the US.

Six people were killed in the firing on the gurudwara during Sunday morning prayers in Wisconsin by at least one gunman who was also shot dead.

Onkar Singh