India on Sunday handed over a dossier to Pakistan about individuals and organisations based in the neighbouring country which might try to disrupt pilgrimage to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, following which Islamabad assured that no anti-India activity would be allowed.
The government Sunday said that Pakistan has”in-principle agreed” to build a bridge to connect with the Indianside and to allow visa-free travel for Indian passport holders and OCIcard-holders.
India flagged its security concerns during a meeting thattook place between delegations of the two countries on the Pakistani side ofthe Attari-Wagah border to discuss the modalities of the Kartarpur corridor.
After the second round of talks on the project, Home MinistryJoint Secretary S C L Das said Pakistani officials confirmed that controversialSikh leader Gopal Singh Chawla was dropped from various bodies, including assecretary general of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC).
“We have shared our concerns regarding individuals ororganisations based in Pakistan who may try to disrupt the pilgrimage andmisuse the opportunity,” he told a press conference at the Attari borderon the Indian side
“To highlight the concerns, we handed over a dossiertoday containing information about these organisations and individuals whichmay pose a kind of potential threat to our pilgrims. We have handed this overwith a request that they seriously act upon it,” Das said.
The Pakistan side assured the delegation that no anti-Indiaactivity would be allowed, the joint secretary, who headed the Indiandelegation, said.
On Chawla, Das said, “We had sought confirmation thatindividuals like Chawla were removed from the bodies to which we had raisedobjection. So they confirmed in that Chawla had been removed from PSGPC andother bodies.”
He said the Pakistani side was apprised of the ban imposedby Government of India on US-based pro-Khalistan outfit ‘Sikhs for Justice’.
“We told them that we have declared this organisation unlawfuland gave them our gazette notification banning it. We told them we haveinformation that this organisation is also operating from their land,” hesaid.
The Indian delegation also sought consular presence in thegurdwara to be able to provide assistance to pilgrims, if required.
A statement by the Home Ministry said Pakistan was requestedto reconsider charging any fee or introducing any permit system for pilgrims.
The Indian delegation comprised representatives from theHome Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry, the Punjabgovernment and the NHAI.
A statement of the External Affairs Ministry said progresswas made in finalising the draft agreement with regard to the modalities. “It was agreed to allow visa-free travelfor the Indian passport holders and OCI card holders seven days a week.Throughout the year, 5000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit Kartarpur SahibGurudwara per day. The pilgrims will be allowed to travel as individuals or ingroups and also on foot,” it added.