Meat, Alcohol, Tobacco Banned In 3 Holy Cities In Punjab

The sale of meat, tobacco, alcohol, other intoxicants are now prohibited in Amritsar Walled City, Talwandi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib after a notification was issued by the Punjab government, according them 'holy city' status.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, in a video message on Sunday, said the decision to grant holy city status to the three places revered among Sikhs has now come into effect after a Punjab government notification.

Last month a resolution was passed unanimously during a special session of the Punjab Assembly held in Sri Anandpur Sahib, which was convened to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Later on December 15, a notification was issued by the state government granting 'holy city' status to Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and the 'Galiara' area around the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

In his video message, Mann said there are five 'takhts' of Sikhs, out of which three -- Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda) and Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Sri Anandpur Sahib) are in Punjab.

"The Punjab government will make all necessary arrangements and provide facilities, including e-rickshaws, mini-buses, shuttle buses and other public transport services, to ensure that devotees arriving from across the world do not face any inconvenience," he said.

The chief minister said strict regulations will now apply in the holy cities. "Sale of meat, alcohol, tobacco, and any intoxicating substances will be completely prohibited," he said.

He assured that the cities will have appropriate development. "These cities are not only religious centres but also a very important symbol of our cultural heritage." "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Sikh Sangat," Mann said.

"With the issuance of the notification, the decision has now come into effect, and the cities have officially attained the status of holy cities," he added.

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