Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Amritsar, May 23 (Punjab Post Bureau) – SGPC commemorated the martyrs of Saka (massacre) Gurdwara Sri Paonta 
Sahib at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall here on Saturday.
After the bhog of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, Bhai Jagtar Singh, hazuri ragi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, performed Gurbani Kirtan and the holy hukamnama was recited by Giani Jagtar Singh, head granth of Sri Harmandar Sahib.
Eleven Sikhs from the Misl Shaheedan Tarna Dal were martyred and several others were injured in the massacre on 22nd May 1964, while freeing Gurdwara Sri Paonta Sahib from the evil mahants.
During a function organized by the SGPC at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib in memory of the massacre, Giani Jagtar Singh paid homage to the martyrs of the massacre and said that Gurdwaras are dearer to Sikhs than life and they can never tolerate the desecration of their holy shrines even if it means making sacrifices. Giani Jagtar Singh said that the Saka of Sri Paonta Sahib was also of great significance in this regard and it is necessary to draw inspiration from the same.
Giani Raghbir Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib also lauded the Panthic services of Baba Nihal Singh Harian Velan, head of Misl Shaheedan Tarna Dal, who was injured in the incident in 1964.
Baba Nihal Singh Harian Velanwan thanked the SGPC for organizing the programme every year at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall in memory of Saka Sri Paonta Sahib.
Giani Jagtar Singh, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Chief secretary Harjinder Singh Dhami and SGPC member Bhai Manjit Singh Bhurakohna jointly honoured Baba Nihal Singh Harian Velan and other prominent leaders of his organisation.
On this occasion SGPC member Bhai Manjit Singh, manager of Sri Darbar Sahib Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, Baba Narang Singh, Baba Nagar Singh, Bibi Jaspal Kaur, Satbir Singh Dhami, assistant secretary Gurdial Singh, superintendent Malkit Singh Beharwal, Baghel Singh, Iqbal Singh, Jagtar Singh, Lakhbir Singh, Gulzar Singh, Gurcharan Singh Kuhala, Deepinder Singh, Bhai Harmitar Singh and others were present.
