AMRITSAR: The suspects in the three cases of blasts in Amritsar did not only throw bombs, but also open letters mentioning about their motive behind the incidents, highly placed sources in the police told reporters.
The letters thrown with the first two bombs were almost destroyed in the blasts. However, several pieces of the letter thrown with the third bomb last midnight were found by the SGPC staff and could be pieced together. It reportedly revealed the intention behind the three blasts.
Officials said suspect Azadbir, who threw the bombs, had written all three letters in Punjabi. The letters indicated that all suspects were upset over statements that “Punjab was not part of India” after a girl was allegedly denied entry into the Golden Temple because she had a flag (similar to the Tricolour) painted on her face.
The suspects also expressed disappointment over police action against pro-Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh and his associates saying it was unwarranted. They expressed anger over cutting of hair and trimming of beard by the Sikh youth saying it was disrespect to Sikhism. They also deplored easy availability of tobacco in Amritsar.
Officials said all five suspects seemed to have been recently radicalised as they did not have any serious criminal record. “All pieces of the letter have not been found. We are trying to study it further,” said officials. The available portions of the letter did not reveal to whom it was addressed, officials said.
The suspects did not intend to harm anyone as the bombs were thrown at isolated places, they added. “Had the letter accompanying the first bomb been found intact, they might not have been able to carry out two more blasts,” claimed an official.
“They have not confessed to be members of any organisation, but our investigation is in progress,” they said.