- विज्ञापन -
Amritsar, Punjab: The city of Amritsar is under tight security with nearly 4,000 police personnel deployed ahead of the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6. The police have intensified security checks, conducted flag marches, and set up 24-hour checkpoints across the city, particularly around the Golden Temple, to prevent any unrest.
The security measures are aimed at maintaining law and order in the city, given the sensitive nature of the anniversary.
What is Operation Blue Star?
Operation Blue Star was a military operation conducted by the Indian Army in 1984 at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, to remove Sikh militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed followers. The operation resulted in significant casualties and damage to the Akal Takht, a sacred Sikh shrine, sparking widespread outrage among Sikhs.
Ongoing Significance
This year, hardline Sikh group Dal Khalsa has planned a march on June 5 and has called for a city-wide shutdown on June 6. The group’s plans have added to the tensions, prompting the authorities to take extra precautions. Meanwhile, tensions persist over the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, who is set to deliver an address from the Sikh temporal seat on the anniversary. However, several factions, including Damdami Taksal and Nihang leaders, have opposed Gargaj’s authority, arguing that his appointment did not follow traditional Sikh religious conduct.
The Amritsar Police Commissioner, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, has assured that thorough checking of vehicles and suspicious individuals is being done at designated checkpoints. Officers from multiple districts, including Amritsar Rural, Batala, and Tarn Taran, have been mobilized, with plainclothes officers and intelligence personnel monitoring sensitive areas. The police are working closely with various Sikh organizations and other stakeholders to maintain peace and harmony in the city.
The security measures are being taken to prevent any law and order situation and to ensure that the anniversary passes peacefully. The city’s residents and visitors are being advised to cooperate with the security forces and follow all instructions to ensure their safety. The situation is being closely monitored, and the police are prepared to take any necessary action to maintain law and order.
