Jor Mela begins: Badal,
Tohra share stage today
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 25 — Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, while addressing a press conference here today, claimed that all top Akali leaders, including Mr Badal and Mr Tohra would address the Akali conference on Shaheedi Jor Mela from the Akali stage.

He ruled out speculations that both the warring Akali factions will organise separate stages.

He said keeping in view the importance of the Jor Mela, no one will speak against each other. The main focus of the conference, as usual, it's expected will be to apprise the public about the atrocities being committed on the Punjabis by the Congress.

He said the conference will be held in a peaceful atmosphere and the police will decide who will sit where.

It is interesting to note that when Capt Kanwaljit Singh went to the room of the manager, Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, to address the conference, the manager refused to vacate his seat. When the Minister insisted that he had to address the press only then did he leave the seat but refused to bring more chairs to his room for mediapersons.

Earlier, Tohra supporters held their separate meeting, which was presided over by Mr Kirpal Singh Libra, Chairman, Punsup, and attended by Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, MP, Mr Harmel Singh and Mr Surjit Singh Kohli, former Ministers, Mr Sukhdev Singh Libra, MP, Rajbir Singh, Bibi Daljit Kaur, MLA, youth wing and AISSF workers. The meeting decided that discipline should be maintained at every cost during the Akali Dal conference and no word should be uttered against anyone. Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli told the reporters that Mr Badal and Mr Tohra will decide about the speakers tomorrow.

After the meeting, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra said the mela conference would pave the way for compromise between the two main leaders of Akali Dal.

Meanwhile, the three-day annual Shaheedi Jor Mela held in the memory of martyrs Baba Zorawar Singh, Baba Fateh Singh and Mata Gujri began here today with an Akhand Path at Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib.

Thousands of devotees paid obeisance at the Gurdwara, braving the chilly wind.

The first day of the mela was observed purely in religious spirit. Diwans were organised in all Gurdwaras.

An exhibition organised by various Government departments depicting their achievements was inaugurated by Mrs Surjit Kaur, Secretary, Education, Punjab. A light and sound programme 'Sirhind Di Dastan' was inaugurated by Mr T.R. Sarangal, Deputy Commissioner, at Aam Khas Bagh, Sirhind.

Conferences of political parties are scheduled for tomorrow.

The Congress will organise its conference near the railway crossing. It would be addressed by Capt Amarinder Singh, president, PPCC, and other State and Central leaders.

Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, president, SAD (A), and other leaders of his party will address their party conference. The BKU will also organise its conference.

Hundreds of langars were arranged by various panchayats.

On the last day, a 'nagar kirtan' will be taken out from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to Jyoti Swarup Sahib, where the two Sahibzadas were cremated.