Surinder Bhardwaj

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 25

The three-day annual Shaheedi Jor Mela — held to commemorate the martyrdom of the younger Sahibzade of Guru Gobind Singh — began here today.The Akhand Path of Guru Granth Sahib began at Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup Sahib. Giani Harpal Singh, Head Granthi, Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, performed ardas. A sea of devotees thronged Fatehgarh Sahib and long queues were witnessed at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup Sahib. More than 10 lakh devotees are expected to offer prayers.Kanwal Preet Brar, Deputy Commissioner, inaugurated a ‘kavi darbar’ and an exhibition on the achievements of various government departments. A light-and-sound show ‘Sirhind Di Diwar’ will be organised. Navjot Singh Sidhu, Tourism Minister, will inaugurate the show.The DC and MLA Kuljit Nagra inaugurated a child protection and feeding booth set up by the Child Welfare Committee. The police have made elaborate security as well as traffic management arrangements.SSP Alka Meena said that to ensure foolproof security of the devotees, the mela has been divided into five sectors and each sector is headed by a SP-rank officer. For the first time, drone cameras and 150 CCTV cameras have been installed to keep watch on anti-social elements.As many as 5,500 police personnel and officers and NSS, NCC volunteers are on duty. Meanwhile, a large number of community kitchens have started serving langar to the devotees. Earlier, the second day of the mela used to be dominated by political conferences. This time, no such conference will be held.Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh is expected to visit Fatehgarh Sahib to pay obeisance. On the concluding day, nagar kirtan will be held from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup Sahib and ardas will be performed.

Tight security

• To ensure foolproof security of the devotees, the mela has been divided into five sectors and each sector is headed by a SP-rank officer.
• For the first time, drone cameras and 150 CCTV cameras have been installed to keep watch on anti-social elements.

Governor, Speaker pay tributes to Sahibzade

Governor VP Singh Badnore (C), Speaker Rana KP Singh (R) and Gen Bhopinder Singh, former Lt Governor, Andaman and Nicobar, at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib on Monday. Tribune photo

Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 25Governor VP Singh Badnore, Assembly Speaker Rana KP Singh and former Lt Governor, Andaman and Nicobar, Gen Bhopinder Singh paid obeisance at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib today. They were presented with ‘siropas’.The Governor paid tributes to the younger Sahibzade. The Speaker said the sacrifice of the Sahibzade was considered supreme in the annals of world history. “Their sacrifice at a tender age gives us strength to fight against tyrants and have faith in our religion. It will continue to guide us,” Rana KP Singh said.