MOAZUM MUHAMMAD

Srinagar, July 5: Even as Sikhs assembled at various Gurudwaras to celebrate the 415th anniversary of Guru Hargobind Singh, the demand for exercising restraint and initiation of talks with separatists for peace reverberated across Kashmir.  
 “Government should stop killings and initiate talks with separatists for peace and harmony in the valley. Force should not be used against the innocent people,” General Secretary Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Kuldeep Singh said addressing a congregation at Chathipadshahi here.
 He also urged government to grant minority status for Sikh community.
 Several speakers threw light on the life and teachings of Guru Hargobind Singh. They said he was the sixth guru who had visited places of Kashmir including Rainawari, Varmul and Pulwama. 
 Devotees from different areas of the city thronged the gurudwara and paid obeisance.
 On the occasion Dalbir Singh who had came from Darbar Sahib sang Shabad kirtan.
 According to devotees, due to curfew and restrictions in vogue, number of visitors  declined on the day.
 “At many places men of CRPF and JK Police barred us from proceeding towards the Gurdwara but it was only after persistence that they allowed us,” said a devotee, 
 Talween Singh, 45, of Budgam.
 “At Qamarwari, I was not allowed to move ahead and turned back,” he alleged.
 An elderly Sikh said that he came on foot from Karan Nagar. 
 “I had to plead before troopers at several places especially in downtown to allow me reach here because I do not miss to come here on these occasions,” he said. 
 The all Parties Sikh Coordination Committee Kashmir alleged that devotees from several districts were restricted.
 The spokesman said people from other districts could not reach Srinagar Chathipadshahi due to curfew.
 Meanwhile the district administration including Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and SSP City reached Chathipadshahi where they greeted devotes on the occasion. Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla and Minister of state for PHE Nasir Aslam Wani also visited the shrine.
 Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla visited Gurdawara Chathipadshahi and paid obeisance there.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST