Bandh remains peaceful amid tight security

PK Jaiswar

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 6

The police remained on their toes to maintain law and order as Sikh radicals, on the call given by Dal Khalsa, observed the 33rd anniversary of Operation Blue Star here today. Paramilitary forces were also deployed to thwart any untoward incident in the holy city.

The day was peaceful with no incident of violence barring a minor one near Beri Gate when a group of All India Hindu Sangharsh Committee (AIHSC) activists came face-to-face with Sikh radicals.

The situation became tense when the AIHSC activists burnt an effigy of Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala near Beri Gate. They had planned to burn the effigy at Hall Gate, but they were allowed by the police to burn it at Beri Gate. While burning the effigy, members of the Satkar Committee reached the spot to confront them. The police stopped them and also forced AIHSC activits to go away. Later, activists of various Hindu organisations gathered at Dhab Khatika and accused radical Sikhs of attacked them.

Ranbir Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, City-I, said appropriate action was being taken as some persons were rounded up.

Around 4,500 police personnel were deployed in the city. Besides, seven companies of paramilitary forces, including CRPF, Rapid Action force and armed reserve battalion were also deputed at various chowks and bazaars, especially near Golden Temple and walled city areas.

The bandh largely remained peaceful with shops and petrol pumps shut throughout the day. Buses didn’t ply and the bus stand and roads wore a deserted look.

AISSF for Punjab’s sovereignty

The All India Sikh Students’ Federation (AISSF) whose president Bhai Amrik Singh died alongside Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale at Akal Takht, has said ‘sovereignty of Punjab’ is its goal. On June 6, hundreds of Sikh activists wearing T-Shirts of Sant Bhindranwale carrying logo of AISSF marched from Gurdwara Shaheedan to Akal Takhat Sahib supporting demand of a separate state for Sikhs. “Our motto is ballot, not bullet, said Karnail Singh Peermohammad, president AISSF. To request the setting up of a UN Tribunal to investigate crimes against the Sikh community committed in June 1984, a delegation of the AISSF will meet UN Resident Coordinator for India Yuri Afanasiev.