Thaindian News

Amritsar, Aug 30 (IANS) Just two days after Sikh sect leader Ajit Singh Phoola was set ablaze inside the high-security central jail here, an eyewitness to his killing was stabbed Saturday in the same complex by another prisoner who had improvised a spoon into a knife, an official said.Gurdial Singh, who used to attend to the Nihang sect chief, was stabbed by another inmate Ranjit Singh with a spoon turned into a knife.

He was rushed to the hospital but his injuries on the neck and temple were not serious, doctors at the civil hospital here said.

Phoola was set ablaze by two jail prisoners Thursday after they poured diesel, procured from the jail generator, on him. He was rushed to the civil hospital here and later referred to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh with critical 70 percent burns.

Phoola died of burn injuries Friday even though he had tried to save himself on being set ablaze by jumping into a water tank inside the jail.

Though questions are being raised about Phoola’s killing inside the jail, Saturday’s incident on the attack on the main eyewitness has even more baffled officials probing the murder.

Phoola, a former police informer during terrorism days in Punjab (1981-95) was considered close to several top police officials and politicians. He had several cases of murder, assault, rape, land grabbing and other crimes pending against him.