Minister Sukhbinder Sarkaria pays tributes to the martyr in Amritsar on Sunday. Tribune Photo: Vishal Kumar

The state government observed the 173rd death anniversary of Sikh General Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala at his memorial near the India Gate, Naraingarh, and at his samadh at Attari village on Sunday.

Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria was the chief guest and paid tributes to the martyr. An Army contingent also paid tributes to the martyr by reversing their arms. On behalf of the General Officer Commanding, Western Command, Capt Abhishek Shukla paid tributes at the memorial of the martyr.

Sarkaria said General Attariwala had valiantly fought against the British forces during the first Anglo-Sikh war at Sabraon in 1846.

He announced a grant of Rs5 lakh for the Attariwala Trust. Besides, the minister said he would discuss the matter of incorporating the sacrifice of General Attariwala in school textbooks with the Education Minister.

At his samadh in Attari village, the ‘Bhog’ of ‘Akhand Paath’ was performed and religious ‘diwan’ was held. Family members of General Attariwala were also felicitated on the occasion.

Attari MLA Tarsem Singh DC, Brig APS Chahal, Deputy Commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha and Police Commissioner SS Srivastava were present.