NIHANG SIKHS TAKE OFFENSE TO INDIAN COP'S CURFEW CHECK

Indian cop’s hand chopped off in sword attack during coronavirus lockdown

By Yaron Steinbuch

New York Post
April 13, 2020

An Indian cop’s hand was chopped off with a sword during an attack by members of a Sikh warrior sect while he was enforcing coronavirus lockdown measures – and he had it reattached during a lengthy surgery, according to a report.

Harjeett Singh, an assistant sub inspector on the Punjab police force, and other officers stopped a vehicle Sunday in the Patiala district carrying seven members of the Nihang, a minority Sikh warrior sect, local official KBS Sidhu told CNN.

When the officers asked for curfew passes, one of the men whipped out a sword, amputated Singh’s hand and injured six of his fellow officers, according to the network.

The victims were rushed to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh.

“I am happy to share that a 7 and a half hour long surgery has been successfully completed in PGI to repair the severed wrist of ASI Harjeet Singh. I thank the entire team of doctors and support staff for their painstaking effort. Wishing ASI Harjeet Singh a speedy recovery,” Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said in a tweet.

The minister said in a voice message posted on Twitter: “The police didn’t even take out their arms and you attack them and cut off the hand of an innocent person?”

He added: “This cannot be tolerated and strict action will be taken …Once more, I am telling all of Punjab, I am warning the people that strict action will be taken against those who don’t follow the curfew.”

Seven suspects were arrested hours later after an exchange of gunfire at a Sikh assembly place where the group fled after the incident, according to India Today.

EDITOR'S NOTE: India Today reports that a video clip on social media appears to show Harjeet Singh seeking help. A man picks up the severed hand and gives it to the officer. He is then taken away from the scene on a two-wheeler.