Nihangs with 3,000 cattleheads insist on visit, admn says no
KAPURTHALA: Even as local administration and police are trying to convince the Nihang jatha to not go Sultanpur Lodhi with their 3,000 cattle, the Sikh sect is adamant on entering the historic city to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Ber Sahib on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
The Baba Bakala-based jatha, which passed through Kapurthala on Friday, was stopped by the administration near Fattu Dhinga, around 17 km from Sultanpur Lodhi, saying the animals will damage newly planted saplings and newly made roads.
However, Nihangs say visit the historic city with their cattle on Gurpurb every year.
Meanwhile, the nihang jatha with their cattle is camping at the grounds of Bebe Nanaki University College, Fattu Dhinga, where heavy police force has been deployed to avoid any untoward incident. The local administration has also arranged for fodder in 35 tractor-trolleys for the cattle on Saturday.
Officials said the cattle have already damaged plantation on the college campus.
The college students, whose examinations are on, faced a lot of inconvenience due to the presence of cattle on the campus.
“Talks (with the nihangs) are on but the matter is yet to be resolved. Nihangs are still there with the cattle,” said senior superintendent of police (SSP) Satinder Singh.
An administration officer said the cattle will be sent back on Saturday itself. Strict action will be taken against those who try to violate directions, he said.