Ban lifted, but visitors denied entry to retreat ceremony at Wagah border

Even as the district administration on Friday lifted the ban on the general public to attend the evening retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border, the Border Security Force (BSF) denied entry to visitors on Saturday.

Even as the district administration on Friday lifted the ban on the general public to attend the evening retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border, the Border Security Force (BSF) denied entry to visitors on Saturday.

The BSF authorities told HT they had not received any official communication from the Amritsar deputy commissioner to allow spectators during the retreat ceremony. They, however, indicated people will be allowed entry on Sunday, once they receive the communication.

“We did not suspend public viewing of the retreat ceremony. It was the district administration’s decision. So once we receive the green signal, we will allow the public,” said a BSF officer.

The ban was imposed following the Indian Army’s surgical strikes across the Line of Control on September 29. Amritsar deputy commissioner Varun Roojam took the decision to lift it on Friday, the same day as the evacuation orders along the border were rolled back.