In a heated exchange during a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema strongly attacked the opposition over the long-pending issue of the Nakodar Firing Incident.
Cheema referred to the 1986 tragedy, stating that during the Akali-BJP government, peaceful Sikh protesters were fired upon in the Nakodar Firing Incident, resulting in the martyrdom of four Sikh youths. He alleged that the inquiry report related to the Nakodar Firing Incident was later suppressed and never made public.
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Cheema Slams Opposition Over Silence on Nakodar Firing Incident, Calls It Political Opportunism
The Cabinet Minister questioned the opposition’s silence over the years, asking why successive governments did not ensure justice in the Nakodar Firing Incident, despite being in power for extended periods. He accused opposition parties of raising the issue only now for political gain.
Cheema further stated that the Nakodar Firing Incident remains one of the most painful chapters in Punjab’s history, and demanded accountability from those who were in power at the time. He also criticized opposition leaders for not taking concrete steps during their tenure to reopen or resolve the case.
ਕੈਬਿਨੇਟ ਮੰਤਰੀ @HarpalCheemaMLA ਨੇ ਨਕੋਦਰ ਗੋਲ਼ੀਕਾਂਡ ‘ਤੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਈਆਂ ਲਾਹਨਤਾਂ !!
ਅਕਾਲੀ-ਭਾਜਪਾ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਵੇਲ਼ੇ 1986 ‘ਚ ਹੋਏ ਨਕੋਦਰ ਦੇ ਘਿਨਾਉਣੇ ਗੋਲ਼ੀਕਾਂਡ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕਰਦੀ ਨਿਹੱਥੀ ਸਿੱਖ ਸੰਗਤ ‘ਤੇ ਗੋਲ਼ੀ ਚਲਵਾ ਕੇ 4 ਸਿੱਖ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਦਬਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਹੀ ਗ਼ਾਇਬ… pic.twitter.com/eq74w0Sv1G
— AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) April 13, 2026
The remarks led to a sharp war of words in the Assembly, with ruling party leaders defending Cheema’s statements, while opposition members objected to the tone and allegations made regarding the Nakodar Firing Incident.
The House witnessed intense debate as both sides exchanged accusations, keeping the focus on the decades-old Nakodar Firing Incident and the demand for justice for the victims.