Short circuit suspected; no casualties reported as shrine was unattended at the time of incident
Sarabjit Singh
Jammu, April 22:
A fire incident on Monday caused significant damage to Gurdwara Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib Ji in the Sidhra area of Nagrota, with portions of the shrine and religious materials affected. No casualties were reported, as the Gurdwara was unattended at the time.
According to reports, local residents noticed flames rising from the Gurdwara around 4:30 PM and alerted the police. A team from the Sidhra Police Post reached the spot promptly and informed the fire services.
Personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), stationed nearby, were among the first responders and initiated fire-fighting efforts. As the main complex of the Gurdwara was locked, security personnel had to break open the lock to gain access to the central hall and control the blaze.
Fire-fighters later joined the operation, and with the assistance of police and security forces, the fire was brought under control after several hours, preventing it from spreading to adjoining areas. The presence of wooden structures inside the shrine contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, posing challenges during the operation.
Sources said that three Saroops (physical volumes) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji were present inside the Gurdwara. One Saroop was extensively damaged in the fire, while the remaining two were safely retrieved and subsequently shifted to Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Nanak Nagar, Jammu. Several Gutka Sahibs (prayer booklets) also suffered damage.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in the electrical wiring. Police have registered a case and initiated further investigation to ascertain the exact cause.
Balwinder Singh, Vice President of the District Gurdwara Management Committee, confirmed that the Gurdwara was unattended, with no sevadars (caretakers) present at the time of the incident. He added that several items, including CCTV equipment, were destroyed in the fire.
Ranjit Singh Tohra, President of the Committee, stated that initial findings point to an electrical short circuit, and no evidence of foul play has emerged so far.
The Gurdwara is located in an area with a relatively small Sikh population and does not witness heavy daily footfall. Authorities have assured that appropriate measures will be taken following the investigation.
