Quarantine pilgrims at our inns, not deras: SGPC

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, April 30

The SGPC’s preparations at its ‘sarais’ (inns) located in and around the Golden Temple complex were the last item on the agenda of the Amritsar administration when it came to accommodating suspected Covid-19 patients.

Around 600 persons who returned from the Hazur Sahib pilgrimage were quarantined at Dera Radha Soami centres at Beas, Chheharta and Fatahpur, and at a school and a de-addiction centre in Amritsar. The idea of accommodating ‘Guru Ghar’ devotees at Dera Radha Swami centres has not gone down well with the SGPC.

Fumed over this, the SGPC has urged the state government and the Amritsar administration to review the decision and shift them to its sarais. SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said amid the Covid-19 threat, SGPC sarais would have been more appropriate quarantine zones with a spiritual atmosphere

Deputy Commissioner Shiv Dular Singh said, “We appreciate the SGPC’s efforts. Their services will be utilised as per the need.”

Sources said it was anticipated that the situation could go ‘out of hand’ if the suspected persons were put in at the SGPC sarais which share proximity with the Golden Temple.