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Dialogue with Akal Takht Amity talks fail

Tribune News Service

In order to review security arrangements and persuade dera management to find out channels to end standoff between the sect and the Sikhs, a meeting of senior officials, headed by the Commissioner, Rohtak Division, N.C. Wadhawa, was held with the high-level committee of the Dera Sacha Sauda here this evening.
The committee of the dera headed by Dr Aditya Arora was called as the process to solve the conflict with Sikhs was almost deadlocked yesterday. It was also to review the security arrangements at the dera and in the district in view of the Akal Takht edict of vacating the deras in Punjab by May 27. Besides it, thousands of followers from different states will attend a monthly satsang at the dera tomorrow.
Although after the meeting, commissioner Wadhawa said that the meeting was held to review the security arrangements and that they had deployed enough security personnel to control law and order. But he refused to divulge the details. The committee of the dera also remained mum on this issue and left the rest house after the meeting, without interacting with media.
It is learnt that the dera management and the officials did not reach any conclusion to open a dialogue with Sikh high priest. Commissioner Wadhwa along with the deputy commissioner and the SP Vikas Arora discussed various issues with the dera committee during the meeting held at PWD rest house between 4 pm to 6.40 pm.
The talks were held to end the deadlock between the Sikh high priest and the dera management after Swami Agnivesh made statements to the media that the dera chief had agreed to tender apology to solve the conflict. Thereafter, the dera has been receiving calls from its followers all over the country against Swami Agnivesh’s statements and as a result the high-level committee of the dera had terminated all communications with Swami Agnivesh.
Since morning the paramilitary forces had been put on high alert in the district here. The eight companies included the ITBP, the BSF and RAF. IG (RAF) Dalal Chand also reviviewed the security arrangements on the border areas.
Strict checking was being done at three nakas held on the way to dera right from the Kirtinagar police post. The dera’s internal security maintained high surveillance on followers and others visiting the dera. Besides the visitors, now the vehicles carrying persons, are also thoroughly checked.