Following a bomb threat email targeting Sri Devi Talab Temple, extensive security checks were carried out on the temple premises today, though nothing objectionable was found.
The email warned of retaliation for the June 6, 1984, attack on the Golden Temple and advised people to avoid travel in the Ambala–Delhi region on June 5 and 6. It also issued bomb threats to several religious shrines across Punjab, including Sri Devi Talab Mandir (Jalandhar), Durgiana Temple (Amritsar), Mukteshwar Temple (Pathankot), Maisar Temple (Bathinda) and Kali Devi Temple (Patiala). The Punjab Secretariat also received a similar threat.
In Jalandhar, police teams reached the temple with bomb disposal and dog squad teams. The entire temple premises, including the parking area, was searched by the teams. Pavinder Behl, treasurer, management committee of Sri Devi Talab Mandir, said, “Our committee came to the temple premises and got every nook and corner checked with the help of our private security and the city police teams. Every vehicle is being allowed in after a thorough check. There are six gates but we kept the frontal gate opened today. Every motorist is being issued a slip on entry and all devotees are cooperating with us. Additional police force has been deployed all around the temple premises for the safety of the priests, staff and visitors".
Phagwara: Strong reactions have emerged from various Hindu organisations in Punjab following reports of the threatening email, allegedly targeting prominent religious shrines. Leaders of the Shiv Sena Punjab and Shiv Sena (UBT) Punjab have condemned the threat and described it as an attempt to disturb communal harmony and create fear among devotees.
Shiv Sena Punjab senior vice-presidents Inderjit Karwal and Rajesh Palta, along with state spokesperson Vipin Sharma, condemned the threat and questioned the rationale behind targeting Hindu temples in the name of historical events linked to Operation Bluestar. They stated that Punjab has long been a symbol of the Hindu-Sikh unity and brotherhood and alleged that certain anti-national elements were attempting to create divisions between communities.
The leaders asserted that both Hindu and Sikh communities share a deep cultural and historical bond and warned against efforts aimed at disturbing the state’s social fabric. They maintained that religious places of worship must remain beyond the scope of political or ideological conflicts and called for collective vigilance against attempts to spread hatred and discord.
Expressing concern over the security implications of the threat, the Shiv Sena leaders urged the Centre and investigating agencies to identify those responsible for sending the email and take stringent action against them.
