Monday, December 24, 2007

Ten Lakh Devotees Expected For Fatehgarh Sahib Shaheedi Jor Mela

23 December 2007
FATEHGARH SAHIB

Elaborate arrangements has been made for the three-day annual Shaheedi Jor Mela scheduled to be held from December 24 to 26 to mark the martyrdom of the two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh, who were "bricked" alive here during the regime of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Over 10 lakh devotees from all over the country and abroad come here to pay their obeisance at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib.
While earlier, the Jor Mela was a purely religious affair, over the years it assumed a political colour. The occasion has been used, particularly by the ruling party, to highlight its achievements and announce its priorities. The opposition parties too take the opportunity to criticize the failures of the government during their political conference on December 25.

Shiromani Akali Dal(Badal) has set up its stage in front of Fatehgarh Sahib Gurdwara and congress in front of district administrative complex. Shiromani Akali Dal(Amritsar), Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar(presidium), Lok Bhalai Party, Shiromani Akali Dal 1920, BSP will organize their political conferences on December 25.

On December 26 nager kirtan would be taken from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib to Gurdwara Jyoti Swaroop, in a decorated Palki Sahib (palanquin). The SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said that SGPC has made elaborate arrangements. Fatehgarh Sahib Deputy Commissioner Alaknanda Dayal said that CCTV cameras hav been installed by the district administration at the Shaheedi Jor Mela site.

She said that in order to pay true homage and obeisance to the sahibzadas, who were bricked alive there would be no shops, no circus, dance, programme, gambling stalls, swings and any other amusement item.

She said "Langars" would have only simple food and loud speakers too would not be allowed. She said the wine shops would remain closed for three days and anyone found selling intoxicants and wine would not be spared.

She said free parking sites have been developed on all entry points. Similarly buses will be put on service, which would take the senior citizens and ladies free of cost to Gurudawara Sahib from all the entry points. She said that no shop will be allowed on both sides of roads from Gurudwara Jyoti Swarup to Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib. All sources of entertainments have been banned.

She said that an impresive exhibition depicting the various achievements of the state government in different fields and public oriented schemes initiated by various government departments would be arranged. She said that a special Light and Sound programme will be organised. She said that besides this all the basic civic amenities like toilets, drinking water, and cleanliness would be ensured and enquiry centers and dispensaries would work round the clock. The DC said that at the time of the prayer , a hooters would be sounded so that devotees can participate in the prayer from their places in the mela.

Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Nilabh Kishore said tha the police would made elaborate foolproof security arrangements more than 3,500 police personnel of all ranks would be deputed.

He said that the policemen having latest equipments would be posted on observation posts to keep a close watch on the activities of criminals and anti social elements. He said that besides this policemen in plain clothes would also be posted to nab anti social elements. He said that the traffic would be regulated through link roads and two special buses would be operated up to Gurudwara Sahib for the senior citizens.

Sources said that keeping in view the blood bath that took place between two groups of Nihangs at Patiala in which four close relatives of new Nihand leader Baba Balvir Singh lost their lives, the administration has barricaded the camp of Nihang Baba Sant Singh.
Source: News Sent by GURPREET SINGH MEHAK

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