FATEHGARH SAHIB The three-day annual Shaheedi Jor Mela started on Wednesday to mark martyrdom of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh’s two sons, Zorawar Singh (9) and Fateh Singh (7), who were entombed alive by the then Sirhind’s governer Wazir Khan during the regime of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on December 26, 1705.
Heavy security arrangements have been made in the district as the city is expected to host lakhs of devotees during the mela at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup Sahib.
Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Alka Meena said that police is well prepared for the event. “All necessary security and traffic arrangements have been made by the district administration. Surrounding area of gurdwaras will e under constant closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance and all sensitive points in the area near the gurdwaras will have special arrangements,” she added.
More than 400 CCTV cameras, worth ₹1.26 crore, have been installed for constant surveillance. A command and control centre has also been set up with 20 monitors installed, where a 26-member team will keep vigil.
Police have beefed up security and made plans for smoothen the traffic flow. Over 4,500 police personnel, including 150 female cops, have been deployed. Around 11 check barriers, 13 observation points and 52 nakas have been set up to keep vigil on the venues during all three days of the venue.
Cops have been brought in from across state, additional six superintendents of police (SPs) and 13 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) are stationed at the mela venue.
The mela is held to remember the sacrifice of Mata Gujri and two younger sons (Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, 9, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, 7) of Guru Gobind Singh who were bricked alive here on December 26, 1705, on the orders of then Sirhind governor Wazir Khan during the regime of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Devotees will pay obedience at the historic gurdwaras of Fatehgarh Sahib and Jyoti Sarup Sahib to mark the 314th martyrdom of Mata Gujri and the 10th guru’s younger sons.