Kartarpur corridor: Fresh step in reconciliation between nations
Pakistan PM Imran Khan has said he is ready to engage in talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the most welcome step towards better relationships between both nations. Speaking to Indian reporters who had attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor project, Imran Khan has said encouraging terrorism activities would be detrimental for the future of Pakistan, which right now is working to establish peace.
India and Pakistan are neighbouring nations that should live in peace. This would help the nations prosper as well. While Pakistan needs to understand this, the war mongers in India need to comprehend with this truth as well. People of both nations do not want war since they are connected with each other at birth itself. But the issue is getting complicated thanks to politicians who care less for people’s concerns. The unrest between both nations is being beneficial for the others. Development and progress is possible only where there is peace and coexistence.
Talks have been on between both nations since long to establish peace but to no avail. India was connected to Lahore during Vajpayee’s time as PM, through Samjhota express. There were voices of dissidence within BJP over this. Now there is a new promise of improving relationships between both nations with Kartarpur Corridor. This project will connect Kartarpur Darbar Sahib Gurudwara which is a holy place of Sikhs.
The founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev had spent last 18 years of his life in Kartarpur. This place consolidated the Sikhs to establish Sikhism. People living in the border area feel this corridor would improve relationships between both countries. But this may not happen instantaneously. PM Modi comparing this project to the tearing down of Berlin wall is a bit of stretched imagination. Union minister Sushma Swaraj’s words that terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand, are a matter to ponder over. India has rejected the Pak invitation to participate in SAARC summit. Governments of both countries want the credit of Kartarpur corridor to themselves. Whatever be the case, improvement in bilateral relations will serve both countries well. A few issues need to be cleared about the corridor in this context. Would visitation rights be granted only during special occasions or can pilgrims visit Kartarpur round the year? Should they visit in groups or can they go alone? What would be the duration of their stay?
Though Kartarpur cannot sort out the issues pertaining to troubled relationship between both countries, this is a promising step towards better solution that can come up in the future. Hopefully this scheme that has been initiated to complete before the commemoration of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, should contribute to improving the relationships between two countries that are joined by their roots.
While the nation divided into two, the pilgrimage spaces were also torn away post partition in 1947 after India attained independence. Hence places of worship for people of both nations, exist in the other nation’s vicinity too. India and Pakistan have signed a treaty to allow issuance of visa for people of both countries to visit each other’s religious places such as Mandir and Dargah. The corridor right now is free from visa hassles and this would help the Indians to a large extent.
Imran Khan has been liberal in his stance towards allowing religious visits. He has said he would consider opening places of religious importance such as Sharada Peetha that exist in Pak Occupied parts of Kashmir. Administrative officer of Sringeri mutt had sought permission to visit Sharada Sarvajna Peetha in PoK. People on both sides need to act with positivity and respect to improve relations between the nations. The governments should facilitate peace through their decisions and this would reduce the animosity between both countries.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
