Second man lynched for sacrilege attempt in Punjab

Less than 24 hours after a man was lynched in the Golden Temple for allegedly attempting to despoil the Guru Granth Sahib, another man was beaten to death by locals in Nijampur village, Kapurthala district, also on allegations of attempted sacrilege at a gurudwara.

The locals captured and killed the man after a brief scuffle with police who had arrived to arrest him for allegedly desecrating the "Nishan Sahib" (sacred Sikh flag). The man lynched ag the Golden Temple was seen on CCTV leaping over barriers to seize the holy sword placed in front of the Guru Granth Sahib according to police reports.

Sturday's incident at the Golden Temple – considered the spiritual capital of the Sikhs -- created tension in a state where sacrilege is a highly emotive issue. Ahead of next year's elections, it has adopted political overtones, with the alleged failure of the state's Congress government to address the last series of sacrileges.

"I have taken serious note of the unfortunate incidents in Amritsar and Kapurthala. Any attempt to violate the communal harmony in the state will be dealt with a firm hand SStern action will be taken against all those disturbing the law and order in Punjab," said Punjab DGP Siddharth Chattophadyay on Twitter.

"It is an attempt to weaken Punjab which is the sword arm of India. Some people have made it a political game over the last five years," Akali Dal MP Balwinder Bhunder has told NDTV. Former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Patel echoed the same thoughts and said it appeared as though there was a "conspiracy" afoot to disturb communal harmony in the state. e

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has said a Special Investigation Team has been formed, which will present investigation report within two-days.