Operation Bluestar Anniversary: Punjab on alert after calls for Amritsar shutdown
Chandigarh
Punjab, the northern state of India, is abuzz these days with Pro-Khalistan outfits as Dal Khalsa giving calls for Amritsar shutdown to mark Operation Bluestar anniversary or Ghallughara Week.
On Thursday, Punjab Police started geared up for Operation Bluestar anniversary and deployed additional forces, besides carrying out flag marches in all districts.
The main aim of 110 flag marches, especially in 192 sensitive or vulnerable areas, was to ‘instill confidence among the general public’, a government spokesperson said.
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He said the entire exercise was carried out as per the directions of Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.
“In order to make Punjab safe and secure as per CM Bhagwant Mann’s vision, flag marches were held in all the districts and 368 persons were taken into preventive custody.
“Punjab Police will ensure peaceful observance of the Operation Bluestar Anniversary which is also marked Ghallughara Week. We have made additional deployments for foolproof and adequate security,” said Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said.
This comes as there were reports of Pro-Khalistan posters of Bhindranwale being affixed outside Golden Temple, Amritsar.
In addition, some pro-Khalistan outfits including Dal Khalsa are already calling for Amritsar shutdown on 38th anniversary of an all-out armed strike that was carried out at Golden Temple to oust Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Damdami Taksal leader, Bhindranwale had allegedly given a call for a separate Sikh state, Khalistan, and had taken shelter in the Golden Temple when the then PM Indira Gandhi ordered an all-out armed strike on 1 June.
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The army strike partially ended on 6 June with Operation Bluestar concluding its action inside Golden Temple on 8 June, resulting in the death of Bhindrawale along with other alleged Sikh separatists.
