Amid Amritpal buzz at Talwandi Sabo Baisakhi mela, heavy security, tight-lipped masses, not many langars

“Only a few thousand have reached till now as against nearly 15 lakh that come every year to pay obeisance at Takht Damdama Sahib…The Bhagwant Mann government has created a sense of fear amongst the masses,” says Baldev Singh Chunga, a Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee member while sitting in the SGPC office. The other members nod in agreement.

Unlike previous years, fewer langar stalls are seen. Though the town is decorated like yesteryears ahead of Khalsa Sajna Diwas but lack of crowds is bothering everyone.

Makhan Singh, a sewadaar at a Jaljeera Chabeel service on the main road, says, “The crowd is less this time. What can we do? We are here to do sewa”. He turns quiet as two police personnel reach the stall and partake Chabeel.
“So much hype has been created by the Punjab government over Amritpal Singh. The DGP has visited this town twice within two days. There are policemen everywhere. What other signals do people need to avoid visiting Takht Damdama Sahib this Baisakhi,” asked Gurmukh Singh, a local while standing near Khanda Sahib Chowk.

“There was more police personnel in plain clothes than in khaki. Every third person you see on the roads, stares at you…,” said Gurmukh.

“Those in plain clothes can be recognised by the way they are standing at corners. Their way of walking, the way they stare gives away that they are police personnel. This Baisakhi, police forces have outnumbered the devotees,” says a person, dressed like a Nihang.

This correspondent was stopped by police at three checkposts.

“They are questioning people, checking their bags. They are creating a sense of fear,” says Mohan Singh Bangi, an interim member of SGPC.

Jagdish Pal, local, says ,”I have been living here for more than 15 years but have never seen such low key start to mela. Otherwise, all approach roads from Sardulgarh, Bathinda or from refinery side used to be jam-packed. Vehicles used to be parked near the bus stand or in the outskirts.

This time, however, vehicles can be seen moving inside city. Vehicles have been prohibited on only a few roads, which are close to the Gurdwara. There had been a flag march in almost every lane of the town. Even locals are indoors”.

A group of elderly woman from Zira constituency of Ferozepur district are taking taking rest in the verandah close to Gurdwara Damdama Sahib. One among them, Mahinder Kaur says, “We came in a roadways bus. I come here every year, but the rush is missing”.

Ranjit Singh, manager of the Takht Damdama Sahib, standing nearby says, “Don’t know why, but sangat seems to having some apprehensions this time. The footfall is very low. Let’s see on Friday”.

The house of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh is also within the premises of Gurdwara. He is also the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib. The two doors to his residence are locked with heavy security deployed.

Punjab Police chief Gaurav Yadav Thursday again reviewed security arrangements at Talwandi Sabo. Though there were rumours that Amritpal, the pro-Khalistan preacher on the run since March 18 when police launched a major crackdown against him and members of his outfit Waris Punjab De, may surrender at Takht Damdama Sahib on Baisakhi, the DGP says the forces have been deployed for the convenience and safety of people.

Speaking to reporters Yadav, says, “During Holla Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib, there is a deployment of around 5,000 security personnel. Therefore, it is a routine matter. The force has been deployed for the convenience of people,” he said.

Asked whether there were inputs that Amritpal may surrender on Friday, Yadav says he cannot make any comment on it. “But we are ready to deal with any situation.”

Yadav, who also held a meeting with senior police officers in Talwandi Sabo, says the security arrangements in the state were in “top gear.” “Ahead of the Baisakhi festival, we reviewed security arrangements. Security arrangements in the entire state were in top gear. Whosoever is wanted by police we will catch and arrest him. We will maintain peace and harmony,” he adds.

Reached for comments, IG Bathinda range, SPS Parmar, says, “Police force has been deployed for the safety of masses but no team from Delhi has come to Punjab. Our teams are enough to manage the arrangements. We are here for safety of masses. We are not stopping anyone”. He too admits that footfall till now is low compared to previous years.

Amritpal, in two video messages that went viral, had urged Akal Takht chief to call ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ on the day of Baisakhi to “mobilize” Sikh community across the globe while terming crackdown against him and his aides as “attack on Sikh community”. Giani Harpreet Singh, however, did not give any call for ‘Sarbat Khalsa’.

In one of the two videos, Amritpal had dismissed earlier reports that he had offered to surrender with some riders. He had said that he was “not an absconder”, but a “rebel” and would “soon appear before the public”.