The Punjab government has decided to accord holy city status to towns having three out of five Takhts, including Amritsar walled city, Talwandi Sabo in Bhatinda and Sri Anandpur Sahib in Ropar. The sale and use of meat, liquor, tobacco, and other intoxicants will be prohibited in these cities to fulfil the long-pending demand of the devotees. A decision to this effect was unanimously passed during the special session of the Punjab Assembly that took place at Sri Anandpur Sahib, yesterday. The session was dedicated to the 350th Martyrdom Day of the Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

Our Correspondent reports that the Chief Minister moved this resolution in the assembly. An interfaith committee related to all religious institutions will also be formed in these holy cities to tackle issues related to them. A series of spiritual and cultural events will continue today, also as part of the three-day commemoration event with the Atmaras Kirtan Darbar and Sarbat da Bhala programme scheduled to be held. A large number of devotees from across the country and abroad are visiting Sri Anandpur Sahib to pay their respects to ‘Hinfld Di Chadar-Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.