More Sikh volunteers are to join the Kar Sewa [voluntary community service] undertaken by the nihang [Sikh temple guard] chief, Baba Santa Singh, at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. Welcoming the Kar Sewa by Baba Santa Singh, the All India Shiromani Akali Dal, Master Tara Singh group, in a statement in New Delhi today [18th July] said that the party is planning to send a jatha [group] to Amritsar shortly to take part in the Kar Sewa. The General Secretary of the party, Mr Ajab Singh Diler, demanded that the management of the Golden Temple be entrusted to an impartial body. A jatha of 70 devotees from gurdwara ('Nadda Sahib) in Ambala district today [18th July] left for Amritsar to take part in the Kar Sewa. A spokesman of the jatha said that two similar jathas will daily leave for Amritsar to take part in the programme.

Meanwhile, more Budha Dal nihangs joined Baba Santa Singh and resumed the Kar Sewa of the Akal Takht [highest seat of the Sikh religion] at the Golden Temple complex this morning, dressed in their traditional robes, they went about removing debris.

Baba Santa Singh has said that Akal Takht chief, Giani Kirpal Singh, has no authority to call for his explanation for undertaking the Kar Sewa. He told United News of India that he is not bound to reply to the notice served on him by Giani Kirpal Singh. He asked the high priest why they were silent witnesses to the misuse of the Golden Temple by terrorists.

The Guru Singh Sabha [Sikh organisation] at Gauhati has also welcomed the Kar Sewa now in progress at the Golden Temple. In a resolution adopted at its executive meeting today, the Sabha urged the Assam government to grant special leave and assistance to Sikh employees who want to participate in the Kar Sewa. The All India Federation of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and backward classes has also hailed the Kar Sewa. In a statement in New Delh, the Federation appealed to all sections of the community to participate in it.

Former senior vice president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak [Sikh temple management] committee [SGPC], Mr Ajit Singh Man, has commended Baba Santa Singh for undertaking the Kar Sewa. Talking to our correspondent at Amritsar, he appealed to the people, particularly the Sikhs, to join the programme. He criticised the attitude of the Akali Dal and the SGPC leadership for creating hurdles in the way of conducting Kar Sewa.

As already reported, the curfew has been extended till 1100 tomorrow [19th July] in Amritsar city as a precautionary measure. The four hour relaxation from 1100 in the morning passed off peacefully without any incident.

A delegation from the Durgiana Temple Committee, Amritsar, met Mrs Gandhi in New Delhi today and submitted a memorandum. It appreciated the army action in flushing out terrorists and restoring normality. The Prime Minister urged the delegation to work for promoting peace and communal harmony in the state.

The high-powered panel constituted by the centre to revamp the Punjab admin- istration today [18th July] visited Amritsar. It held discussions with district officials.