Amarinder asks home secy to prepare guidelines for holding religious gatherings

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 20

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has directed Home Secretary NS Kalsi to prepare detailed guidelines for permission to hold religious and social congregations, in order to prevent the kind of tragedy that struck Amritsar during Dussehra celebrations on Friday evening.

The guidelines should clearly define the rules and regulations for holding such events/gatherings in any part of the state on any occasion, as per the directives issued by the Chief Minister.

Captain Amarinder has also asked the Home Secretary to issue an immediate advisory for sale and storage of crackers for the upcoming Diwali festival, to ensure strict adherence to the safety rules and guidelines for the same.

Taking serious note of the train tragedy that killed and injured dozens, when a train mowed them down on railway tracks in Amritsar yesterday, the Chief Minister made it clear that no laxity would be tolerated in these matters.

While the culpability in yesterday's tragic incident would be fixed, it was imperative to ensure that such an incident is not repeated, he said.