Mann, other leaders held in crackdown
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, June 5 — In a major crackdown, the police here today took Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, President Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Dal Khalsa Secretary-General Kanwarpal Singh and certain other leaders into custody on the even of 15th anniversary of Operation Blue Star which falls on June 6.

Meanwhile, the police has made elaborate security arrangements on the eve of the 15th anniversary of the Operation Blue Star. The police in uniform and in mufti was seen deployed on all entry points of the SGPC complex as part of the preventive measures. Mr Harminder Singh Gill, President of the AISSF alleged that raids were made on houses of the federation leaders.

While Mr Mann was taken into custody when he was going to the office of the SAD (A) in the SGPC complex after attending the function of the Dal Khalsa International (DKI), Mr Kanwarpal Singh of the DKI was rounded up by a heavy police contingent from his house. Bhai Ram Singh General Secretary, SAD (A) and Mr Dhian Singh Mand a former member of Parliament, were taken into custody from the house of the former. The police also made raids on the houses of Mr Gurjatinder Paul Singh Bhikhiwind - another General Secretary of SAD (A), Mr Balbir Singh Sodhi, district, President (Urban), Mr Harbir Singh Sandhu, office secretary, Mr Daya Singh Kakkar, Mr Jagir Singh Wadala and Mr Kuldip Singh of the SAD (Amritsar) and federation leaders.

Mr Mann was "picked up" near the city Kotwali police station and was taken to the SP (city's) office. From there he was taken in official car of the SP to an un-disclosed rest house along the Sher Shah Suri Marg in Majitha police district.

Though police officials denied the detention of Mr Maan, but his party General Secretary Bhai Ram Singh claimed that his party President had been arrested to prevent him from taking part in the 'bhog' ceremony which would be performed tomorrow at the party head office to pay homage to "martyrs of the Operation Bluestar.

Earlier, despite attempts by the police to thwart the function, The DKI organised a function in the local Khalsa College to pay homage to those killed in Operation Bluestar the function was addressed by Mr Mann, Mr Kanwar Pal Singh and other leaders. Before being taken into custody, Mr Kanwar Pal Singh told The Tribune that the police uprooted tents pitched by the DKI in the college yesterday evening. The police party led by Mr B Singh, DSP, was sitting in the drawing room of DKI leader for taking him into custody.

Mr Harminder Singh Gill, President AISSF alleged that police crackdown on the houses of federation, SAD (Amritsar) or DKI leaders had made it clear that it had imposed undeclared ban on these organisations for holding 'ardas' (prayer) at Akal Takht tomorrow in memory of those killed in Operation Bluestar.

While Mr Mann had announced that the Sikhs would hold ardas at Akal Takht tomorrow "come what may", the SGPC had declared that it was the prerogative of the committee to perform 'ardas' — Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar Akal Takht would perform the 'ardas'. On the other hand, Mr Mann had said that the sacked Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh would perform the 'ardas' at Akal Takht. Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of the newly floated SAD. However, had appealed that the Sikhs should avoid confrontation so far as observing of the "ghallughara divas" was concerned. He had said that the Sikhs should perform 'ardas' in their respective villages instead of converging at to Akal Takht which could become a ground for battle.

On the other hand, the AISSF has changed the venue of the function from the grounds of Shaheeda gurdwara to Dera Baba Bidhi Chand proposed to be held in the memory of Bhai Amrik Singh the then president of federation and other Sikhs who lost their lives in Operation Bluestar, the function was proposed to be held tomorrow. The venue had to be changed in view of the warning issued by the SGPC that the committee won't allow anybody or any organisation to 'misuse' its complex. Bibi Jagir Kaur, president, SGPC had said that instead of confrontation all Sikhs should join the 'ardas' being organised by the SGPC.

Mr Parmpal Singh Sidhu, district police chief when contacted said that peace would not be allowed to be disturbed. By rounding up senior Akali leaders, Mr Sidhu said the administration would ensure that the "ghallughara divas' passed peacefully.

In a written press note, issued by the AISSF, Mr Gill alleged that the police had not allow the federation to pitch tents even though the venue was changed for the function to be organised tomorrow in memory of the 'martyrs' of Operation Blue Star, Mr Gill alleged that the police had rounded up at least three federation leaders while raids were made on his house and the residence of Bhai Manjit Singh -senior Akali leader. He alleged that Mr Badal had adopted "tactics" of the Beant Singh government, so far, as observing of Ghallughara divas' was concerned.

Meanwhile, many SAD (Amritsar), human rights Dal Khalsa and federation leaders have gone underground to avoid arrest.

Situation in Amritsar, especially around the SGPC complex is tense but under control. The District Magistrate already has promulgated section 144 of the criminal Procedure Code.