Nankana Sahib/ Amritsar, (November 19, 2013): It is learnt that two Sikh Yatris to Sikh Gurdwaras in Pakistan died during their stay at Nankana Sahib. As per information Atma Singh, resident of Mukatsar and Shingara Singh resident of Tarn Taran died due to heart attack at around 2am on November 18.
As per recent reports bodies of the deceased had been sent to Wagah (Pakistan) border from where they would be handed over to Border Security Force ( BSF).
After the incident, jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh, has directed Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to conduct medical checkup of Sikh Yatris before accepting their passports to apply for visas. ]
On the other hand Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has also announced free health checkup for the aspiring Sikh yatris, before sending them to Pakistan on various religious occasions.
According to Times of India (TOI): “[t]he Akal Takht jathedar has directed SGPC to carry out health checkups for devotees to avoid such unfortunate incidents. He recalled that earlier, there was mandatory requirement for devotees to submit health certificate to apply for visa, but that was withdrawn over time”.