SI Harjit Singh in whose favour “Main Bhi Harjit Singh” campaign was launched, awarded with ‘President Medal of Gallantry’
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ August 14,2023
Sub-inspector (SI) Harjit Singh, whose hand was chopped off by a group of Nihang Sikhs on April 12,2020, has been awarded with the President Medal of Gallantry (PMG). The awards were announced by Ministry of Home affairs on the occasion of Independence Day.
He is given this award for his gallantry he had shown when he was on duty during a corona virus lockdown outside the wholesale vegetable market (Sabzi mandi), Patiala and was attacked, after the accused were asked to produce curfew passes outside the market. He along with his colleagues in duty was attacked by them. Even as Harjeet Singh fell on the ground, he got up moments later. Another bystander gave him his severed hand which had fell off at a distance. Acting bravely, Harjit Singh holed his chopped hand. He is then taken away from the scene on a two-wheeler by roadside commuters to Govt Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. He remained in high spirits and his gallant act is praised by everyone.
Immediately he was shifted to PGI Chandigarh as there was no plastic surgeon, facility was available. At PGI Chandigarh, a long and complicated surgery to re-implant Harjit’s hand lasted for seven-and-a-half hours.
Days after the incident ASI Harjit Singh was promoted to the rank of Sub Inspector (SI) in recognition to his exemplary courage. DGP Dinkar Gupta had launched “Main Bhi Harjit Singh” campaign in his favour, when he was admitted at PGI, Chandigarh. He was discharged 18 days after the surgery.
The entire 15-member team of the PGIMER that performed the plastic surgery on ASI/SI Harjeet Singh, who lost his hand in the Patiala Mandi attack, had been awarded with ` DGP Honour for Exemplary Sewa to Society’,
When contacted SI Harjit Singh, he “thanked the almighty, all ranks of Punjab police, doctors, nurses, the residents of Punjab for showing their love, respect and supporting and praying for him in those tough days.”
