Sikh leaders at two temples have called a truce over who will lead this year's Vaisakhi procession through the city's streets.

Each year Bradford's Sikh population marks the birth of Khalsa with a march from one of the six Sikh temples in the city.

The procession, which calls at all six temples, lasts four hours and involves the closure of several streets and attracts up to 7,000 people.

It is usually held on the nearest Sunday to the anniversary but this year a misunderstanding between two temples meant two processions were planned on Sunday, April 9, and Thursday, April 13.

But after a crisis meeting held last week members of the Ramgarhia Gurdwara in Bolton Road have agreed to allow the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Wakefield Road to lead the procession.

Leading figures in the Sikh community Harjap Singh Pooni and Nirmal Singh Sekhon, MBE, acted as intermediaries to broker the agreement.

Mr Pooni, who is also secretary of the Yorkshire Sikh Forum, confirmed only one procession would now be held on Thursday, April 13.

"There was some confusion over whose turn it was to lead the procession so we organised the meeting to sort the situation out," he said.

"It was a breakdown in communications. Those at the Ramgarhia Gurdwara were disappointed that they won't be leading the procession but it will be their turn next year."

Nirmal Singh Notey, the vice-chairman of the Ramgarhia Gurdwara, said: "It was a simple misunderstanding. I was told last year that it was our turn to lead the procession this year.

"But we have agreed to cancel our parade on the understanding that we lead the procession in 2001."

Chief Inspector Ray Shepherd, of Bradford Central Police, had given his blessing for the two marches to go ahead and authorised road closures for both days.

Police and Bradford Council officers will meet this week to finalise traffic arrange on the day of the procession.

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