Pro-Khalistanis hold ‘freedom march’ in Amritsar ahead of ‘Operation Bluestar’ anniversary

Uneasy calm prevails; security tightened ahead of 38th anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar

Members associated with radical Sikh outfits and pro-khalistan groups, including Dal Khalsa, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) among others held, what they termed a ‘freedom march’ in the city on Sunday, a day ahead of the 38th anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar’, even as uneasy calm was palpable among residents.

The protesters, including youth and the elderly, carrying ‘Khalistan’ flags and placards, raised slogans in support of independence, demanding a separate state for Sikhs — ‘Khalistan’, as the march started from the Bhai Veer Singh Memorial Hall on Lawrence Road. They hailed the sacrifice of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and declared to continue their struggle for ‘Khalistan’. A float with pictures and portraits of damaged ‘Akal Takhat’ and Sikh martyrs was displayed during the march.

Tight security has been provided across the city with regular flag marches being conducted in several parts of the city, besides intense checking being done to maintain law and order.

“We are holding this march to reiterate our commitment for the struggle for independence, and to pay homage to the people who tasted martyrdom during the army attack,” said one of participating members.

Dal Khalsa president Harpal Singh Cheema said they were undertaking a freedom parade to pay homage to Sikh heroes, who fought till their last breath. “We want to tell the Government of India that we have neither forgotten nor forgiven the perpetrators of the attack,” he said. “The mission of the martyrs was to liberate Punjab from Indian domination. We are determined to pursue the mission to its logical conclusion using right to self determination,” said Mr. Cheema.

It was on June 6, 1984, when the Army had stormed the complex of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar — Sikhism’s holiest shrine, to flush out extremists led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Raju Mahajan, running a juice corner, near the Bhai Veer Singh Memorial Hall, is anxious this year amid the recent spate of incidents surrounding the ‘Khalistan’ connection, especially in the wake of the clash in Patiala, besides killing of Punjabi singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, known as Sidhu Moosewala, among other gangster-related crime incidents.