AMRITSAR, — The SGPC today deployed 45odd Sewa Dal (task force) volunteers in the parkarma area of the Golden Temple complex here.
This follows reports of “forcible” occupation of Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo and Takht Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib by the sacked head priests.
An SGPC official said the volunteers, mostly exarmy men, had been deployed to stop undesirable persons from staying inside the complex after paying obeisance.
The decision to deploy the Sewa Dal was taken yesterday. “The SGPC will ensure that the sacked Jathedar or anyone is not allowed to establish his physical foothold in the complex against the wishes of the SGPC” said the official.
The SGPC has approached the district administration for firearms for the Sewa Dal. The formal request was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday.
The SGPC sources said, would not allow political meetings and even a “sarbat Khalsa” inside the complex.
The ousted priests had reportedly convened a “Sarbat Khalsa” in the complex.
Meanwhile, the SGPC today flayed the “forcible” occupation of Takht Keshgarh Sahib by a former head priest. Mr. Swinder Singh. A Press release said control of the Takht was still with the SGPC.
It said certain elements with vested interests were trying to interfere in the SGPC affairs with the help of the muscle power and at the behest of the Government. It denied the changes of corruption leveled by the former priests.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 9, 1988
