ATTARI, Nov 8 — Secret parleys are reportedly on between intelligence agencies at Attari and the police to tackle the situation arising out of a number of stranded Sikh passengers awaiting the boarding of the train to Pakistan tomorrow.

It is also learnt that the security forces in maximum capacity would be deployed at the station.

Many of passengers who had been left are expected to board the train tomorrow, however, only a regular train with routine number of coaches is expected tomorrow, say sources in the immigration.

Mr Bakshi Ram Arora, Inspector-General Police, admitted that meeting between officials from the Intelligence Bureau, Superintendent Police, CIA and vigilance officers was held. The meeting was to regulate the inflow of Sikh jathas and regular passengers.

He said only eight bogies of the Samjhauta Express were expected tomorrow.

However, senior custom authorities did not admit the holding of a meeting. Senior officials say that providing free rail passage to pilgrims had been the bane. Everyone wanted to take advantage of the free travel. Consequently more than the expected pilgrims reported whereas arrangements at the Home Ministry level could not be coordinated. The Deputy Commissioner Mr Narinderjit Singh, was not available for comments.

However, in a statement Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, MLA, said the denial of clearance to Sikh pilgrims had exposed the intentions of the Badal government and the SGPC to snatch the religious right of the Sikhs and nurse their egos.

Meanwhile, lack of coordination among different government agencies resulted in utter confusion here. A senior railway officer, preferring anonymity, told TNS that the Pakistan railway authorities had offered two passenger rakes on November 5, a day before the Sikh jatha of over 3000 pilgrims were to cross over to Lahore. But the delay in the official clearance from the Union Home Ministry, New Delhi, led to the cancellation of the arrival of special trains to India which led to an agitation by the stranded Sikh devotees.

Even after two days, uncertainty continues to dog the passengers and the pilgrims as the local administration and the railway authorities have received no confirmation for a special train being arranged to take them to Lahore.