Meat, alcohol ban at three 'holy cities' now in effect: Punjab CM Mann
Chandigarh (PTI): The sale of meat, tobacco, alcohol, other intoxicants are now prohibited in Amritsar Walled City, Talwandi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib after a notification was issued by the Punjab government, according them 'holy city' status.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, in a video message on Sunday, said the decision to grant holy city status to the three places revered among Sikhs has now come into effect after a Punjab government notification.
Last month a resolution was passed unanimously during a special session of the Punjab Assembly held in Sri Anandpur Sahib, which was convened to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
ALSO READ: Indian visa application centre suspended indefinitely in Bangladesh's Chattogram
Later on December 15, a notification was issued by the state government granting 'holy city' status to Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and the 'Galiara' area around the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
In his video message, Mann said there are five 'takhts' of Sikhs, out of which three -- Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda) and Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Sri Anandpur Sahib) are in Punjab.
"The Punjab government will make all necessary arrangements and provide facilities, including e-rickshaws, mini-buses, shuttle buses and other public transport services, to ensure that devotees arriving from across the world do not face any inconvenience," he said.
The chief minister said strict regulations will now apply in the holy cities. "Sale of meat, alcohol, tobacco, and any intoxicating substances will be completely prohibited," he said.
He assured that the cities will have appropriate development. "These cities are not only religious centres but also a very important symbol of our cultural heritage."
"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Sikh Sangat," Mann said.
"With the issuance of the notification, the decision has now come into effect, and the cities have officially attained the status of holy cities," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Snowfall blocks two key roads providing alternative connectivity to Kashmir
Rajouri/Jammu (PTI): Traffic on the Mughal and Sinthan Top roads, which provide alternate connectivity to Kashmir, was temporarily suspended on Sunday due to light to moderate snowfall in the high-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
However, traffic on the 270-kilometre Jammu-Srinagar national highway -- the only all weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country -- was plying as usual despite intermittent rains that ended the over one-and-a-half months long dry spell, they said.
ALSO READ: India overpowered by Minhas' big hundred and pacers as Pakistan clinch U19 Asia Cup
The Mughal road, which connects the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri with south Kashmir's Shopian, was closed for traffic as a precautionary measure after more than three inches of snow was recorded at Peer Ki Gali on Sunday afternoon.
A group of three tea vendors are left stranded on the road and efforts are on to evacuate them to safety, officials said.
After they were trapped in the snow, the vendors made passionate appeals through video messages urging the authorities to rescue them. The Border Roads Organisation has taken up snow clearance work and is trying to reach the stranded persons, officials said.
The Sinthan Top road, which connects Kishtwar and Doda districts in Jammu with south Kashmir's Anantnag, was also closed after moderate snowfall in the higher reaches.
Both the mountainous roads usually remain closed for several months due to heavy snowfall during winter.
