Khalistanis take out ‘Freedom March’ in Amritsar ahead of ‘Operation Bluestar’ anniversary

Members of hardline Sikh organizations and pro-Khalistan groups including Dal Khalsa, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) organized a ‘freedom march’ in the city on Sunday, a day before the 38th anniversary of the ‘operation’. Bluestar’, even the uneasy peace among the residents was evident.

As the march began from the Bhai Vir Singh Memorial Hall on Lawrence Road, the protesters raised pro-freedom slogans demanding a separate state for the Sikhs, Khalistan, carrying Khalistan flags and placards. He appreciated the sacrifice of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and declared to continue his struggle for ‘Khalistan’. The damaged ‘Akal Takht’ and a float with pictures and images of Sikh martyrs were displayed during the march.

Tight security arrangements have been made throughout the city with regular flag marches being conducted in many parts of the city apart from intensive checking to maintain law and order.

One of the participating members said, “We are organizing this march to reiterate our commitment to the struggle for freedom and to pay homage to those who were martyred during the army attack.”

Dal Khalsa president Harpal Singh Cheema said that they are conducting a freedom parade to pay homage to the Sikh heroes who fought till their last breath. “We want to tell the Indian government that we have neither forgotten nor forgiven the perpetrators of the attack,” he said. “The mission of the martyrs was to free Punjab from Indian domination. We are committed to take the mission to its logical conclusion by exercising the right to self-determination,” Mr. Cheema said.

It was on June 6, 1984, when the army stormed the premises of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar – the holiest shrine in Sikhism – to drive out extremists led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

concerned local

Raju Mahajan, who runs the Juice Corner near the Bhai Vir Singh Memorial Hall, is concerned in the wake of the recent incidents, especially the clashes in Patiala, over the ‘Khalistan’ connection this year. Punjabi singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu murderedKnown as Sidhu Moosewala, among other crime incidents related to the gangster.

“For the past several years, events are organized on the anniversaries of ‘operation bluestar‘, but this year I’m a little worried. I hope the events will conclude peacefully. The Moosewala murder and other incidents are a matter of concern not for me but for everyone.

Rajan, who is associated with the textile business, echoed similar sentiments, saying the way in which gangster-related incidents were being reported in the state and the clashes during a pro-Kahlistan march in Patiala were also disturbing. “Our business has started to take a beating because of the tension,” he said.

During the day, the Police Commissioner held a meeting with the officials to coordinate the action against anti-social elements and maintain law and order in the city.

“We have deployed a force of around 7,000 personnel, including two units of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) across the city. For the march, 400 police personnel have been deputed to ensure law and order,” said Parminder Singh, deputy commissioner of police (law and order), Amritsar.

SGPC pulled up the government

Meanwhile, the chairman of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) – the body responsible for managing gurdwaras – Harjinder Singh slammed the state government for turning Amritsar city into a police cantonment.

“By doing this the government is creating an atmosphere of fear while for the Sikhs this day is very serious and painful. community [community], every year Ghallughara DayThe community Martyrs gather to remember and hence, the government should not present the occasion as scary,” said Mr. Harjinder Singh.

Radical Sikh organizations have also called for an ‘Amritsar Bandh’ on June 6 to mark the anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar’. “On June 6, we have called for a bandh in Amritsar. The bandh call is for business establishments, traders, banking, petrol pumps and educational institutions, while there will be no bar on transport,” Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann paid obeisance at Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) on Sunday. The Chief Minister later held a meeting with the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Harpreet Singh. “During the deliberations, they discussed the social and religious issues being faced by the state. Apart from this, he also discussed the issues related to greater participation of youth to bring the state on a higher growth path,” an official statement said.