02 November 2004	Tuesday	18 Ramazan 1425

LAHORE, Nov 1: Following the recent spate of terrorism in the country, the government has decided to take strict security measures for about 5,000 Sikh pilgrims expected to arrive here on Nov 21 to attend the 535th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak at his birth place in Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib.

Under the chairmanship of Evacuee Trust Property Board's Pir Muhammad Khan Bangash it has been decided that no vehicle would be allowed to enter or park on the premises of any of five major gurdwaras in the province.

Security personnel would accompany Sikh pilgrims in their vehicles. Besides, police would escort them, especially the foreign Sikhs, on their way to the gurdwaras for security.

The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's Sardar Satnaam Singh will monitor the security arrangements.

A senior ETPB official told Dawn on Monday that the birth anniversary was the major Sikh congregation in the country and the government was keen this time to provide them with security. The health department would also set up medical camps at various gurdwaras, he added.

When asked that tension still prevailed in Nankana Sahib and strict security measures were being taken up following the students' attack on the Gurdwara Janam Asthan in September, he said the issue had been resolved and no element of hatred between Muslim and Sikh communities was evident.

He said a nine-member Indian Shurmani Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee headed by its secretary general Dalmak Singh had visited Nankana Sahib last month to probe the incident.

According to the committee's findings, he said the incident took place on some misunderstanding regarding making the college land part of the gurdwara. However, the attack was not based on religious outrage, the committee noted.

Meanwhile, Mr Bangash has directed the board officials to complete the on-going repair work on the major gurdwaras of the province. He also asked the railways and immigration authorities at Wagah to make arrangements to facilitate Indian Sikh pilgrims.

Under the programme, about 3,000 Sikhs are expected from India and 2,000 from Europe, Middle East, America, Canada and Afghanistan.

Thousands of local Sikhs and Hindus will also attend the festivities starting from Nov 21-30.

The three-day main festival is scheduled to begin on Nov 24 at the Gurdwara Janam Asthan. The Sikh pilgrims would bring out the Palki on Nov 26, the last day of the three-day festivities. It would also be carried through the other seven adjacent gurdwaras - Paiti Sahib, Palia Sahib, Tambu Sahib, Panjhvin Padshahi, Chehnvin Padshahi, Salji Sahib and Giyara Sahib - with police escort.

During their 10-day stay, the Sikh pilgrims will also visit Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, Gurdwara Succha Soda in Farooqabad, Gurdwara Rohri Sahib in Aimanabad, Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal. They will leave for home on Nov 30.

ETPB deputy director (shrines) Fraz Abbas told Dawn that all arrangement had been finalized and the pilgrims would also be provided with free food and accommodation at their holy places.