M A I N   N E W S

Bibi, priests to avoid clash
Security beefed up at Hola Mohalla
From Varinder Walia and Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB, March 18 — Security arrangements have been beefed up for Hola Mohalla here. The SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Kesgarh Sahib, and Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar Akal Takht have reportedly decided not to take any step which could lead to confrontation. The district police has deployed mounted police, anti-sabotage squads and spotters to identify anti-social elements. Prof Manjit Singh is busy in setting up for the Guru Har Rai Institute of Alternative Systems of Medicines and Meditation Centre here which is proposed to be inaugurated on March 22 — a day after the concluding function of Hola Mohalla. He has been attending to his routine duties as Jathedar since his excommunication from the Sikh Panth on March 12.

Bibi Jagir Kaur has been personally monitoring the arrangements for langar (community kitchen) and proper accommodation for the 10 lakh devotees who may visit Takht Kesgarh Sahib during the three-day mela yet. She may not participate in the political conference of the Shiromani Akali Dal to be held here on March 20. Interestingly, she was warmly welcomed by the devotees, SGPC members and staff during her visit to the Takht yesterday. Similarly, no Sikh devotee objected the routine duties being performed by Prof Manjit Singh. Rather he is getting fullest cooperation by the Sikh Sangat for making arrangements for three-day international conference on alternative systems of medicines to be inaugurated on March 24.

Meanwhile, modalities are being worked out to make the historic mela incident-free. The district police is in constant touch with Prof Manjit Singh and SGPC officials.

During the previous mela, there was apprehension of confrontation when Bhai Ranjit Singh had insisted to lead the Hola Mohalla procession on March 3 last year after his suspension as Jathedar.

To avoid any confrontation this year also Prof Manjit Singh is being persuaded to be present only at the start of the Hola Mohalla procession on March 21. It feels that he should not go along with the procession beyond Takht Kesgarh Sahib complex so that no miscreant could take benefit of the situation.

On the other hand Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, has already indicated that he would not take any step which could spoil the spirit of Hola Mohalla.