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Amritsar police are expecting a deployment of approximately four companies of paramilitary forces, along with an additional 5,000 state police personnel, for the Operation Blue Star anniversary.
The anniversary is observed at the Akal Takht on June 6 every year. The Amritsar police will remain on alert for the entire week as Dal Khalsa has called for a remembrance parade on June 5 and a bandh in Amritsar on June 6.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is also planning to display a bir (copy) of Guru Granth Sahib, which was hit by a bullet during the Army’s action inside the premises of the Golden Temple to flush out militants holed up in the shrine in 1984.
“We will deploy two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and two companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF). Around 1,500 personnel from the Punjab Armed Police and different district police have already reached Amritsar. We are expecting approximately 5,000 personnel from different wings of the Punjab Police, in addition to the four paramilitary companies. The exact numbers will be finalised tomorrow (Thursday),” said a spokesperson for the Amritsar police.
The anniversary function has remained largely peaceful in recent years. However, this year’s anniversary will be observed in the shadow of a crackdown on pro-Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh and his oufit ‘Waris Punjab De’ and three minor blasts reported in the vicinity of Harmandir Sahib.
Mostly separatist organisations gather during the anniversary.
“We are organising a ‘Holocaust’ remembrance parade in Amritsar to pay homage to the people who fought for our cause and to tell the Centre that we have not forgotten and forgiven the perpetrators of Operation Blue Star,” said Paramjit Singh Mand, a Dal Khalsa leader.
Regarding their plans for the anniversary, an SGPC spokesperson said, “On the occasion of Ghallughara Diwas (Holocaust Day), the Sri Akhand Path Sahib will be started at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on June 4, and the bhog (concluding ceremony) will be held on June 6. The holy saroop (copy) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which was hit during the military attack in June 1984, will also be displayed on June 6 at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Gurbaksh Singh Ji for the Sangat (congregation) to pay obeisance.”
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said, “The Sikh community can never forget the pain of the June 1984 ‘Holocaust’. This day is very grave and emotional for the Sikh community, and the Sikhs should pay tribute to the martyrs according to their sentiments.”
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