Punjab Police Sub-Inspector Harjeet Singh, whose hand was chopped off in a brutal attack by a group of 'Nihangs' in Patiala over a fortnight ago, is back home after a harrowing 18 days. He was discharged from PGIMER, Chandigarh, on Thursday following a successful surgery reattaching the severed limb.
Harjeet Singh was welcomed home with a police band and showering of flower petals. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu and other senior police personnel were also present on this occasion.
On April 12, the country woke up to a horrifying clip of a group of Nihangs chopping off Singh's hand with a sword and injuring other two policemen, when the cops asked them to show curfew passes outside a wholesale vegetable market in Sanaur. Singh, however, earned widespread praise for his composure after the incident—he rode pillion to the hospital holding his own severed hand.
Though doctors have advised him rest, Singh is eager to return to duty. He spoke to THE WEEK about the past 18 days and how the incident has made him a better and stronger person.
“Inspired by movies, when a young lad thinks of becoming a cop, he dreams of sacrifices and doing big things. A cop does it every day as part of duty, but mostly, it goes unnoticed,” Singh said.
“Thankfully, I was able to do my bit and let people know what it feels to be a cop. Yes, I was under physical trauma but endeavours like #MainBhiHarjeet by my brothers in uniform left me speechless and humbled (the Punjab police had launched a 'MainBhiHarjeetSingh' campaign in solidarity with him).
“Seeing my mother's eyes welling up with tears of pride when I returned home today, literally made me feel like a hero. This what khaki gives you,” he said.
Recalling the incident, Singh said it was unexpected. “They (Nihangs) were picking up fights in the mandi and were not respecting social distancing rules or curfew. We knew they might become violent, but never thought they will attack us with swords. It happened in a flash and I was in immense pain. My first thought was to stop the blood, and get first aid. So, I sat on the bike and rushed to the hospital.”
Singh, however, was more worried about the cost of treatment while on the way to the hospital. “Once I realised the gravity of the injury, like any middle-class man, I started calculating how to cover the cost of treatment. It might be hard to believe, but all this while, a voice inside me told me that my hand will be stitched back, though it will be a bit costly. The police force stood by me.”
His family, too, had a tough time. They got to know about the incident through news channels. “We were in the house when we got calls from people asking us to switch on the TV,” said his younger brother Gurjeet. “We saw him being attacked. We rushed to the hospital. We kept on praying for his safety. The solidarity shown by the police force, the entire nation and PGIMER doctors gave us immense hope. There was no negativity, no fear. Just the hope to see him up and go to work again.”
The 50-year-old Singh, an ASI at time of incident, has not just been promoted and recommended for medal but even his son Arshpreet, a BCA graduate, has been inducted in Punjab Police. Punjab Police chief Dinkar Gupta handed over to Singh his son's appointment letter as a constable in the force.
“I am sure Arshpreet will serve the people of Punjab as bravely and sincerely as his father. The force welcomes and wishes him all the best,” said Gupta, while presenting the appointment letter.
“He (Arshpreet) is stealing my thunder, in a way,” chuckled Singh, who added that they are getting more congratulatory messages for his son now.
“I cannot thank my force enough. I did nothing but my job and what I swore to do when I put on this uniform. But still they appreciated it beyond words. I am not just a satisfied cop today, but a proud father who is eager to get back into uniform and get a salute from his son,” he said.
