Punjab: Security stepped up in Amritsar ahead of Operation Blue Star anniversary
Amritsar, June 4
As the anniversary of Operation Blue Star approaches on June 6, the Punjab Police has established a comprehensive security grid across Amritsar and surrounding areas to maintain security and law and order ahead of the occasion.
Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Praveen Kumar Sinha visited the district to review the deployment of forces and confirmed that nearly 4,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure a peaceful atmosphere.
Talking to the reporters, Praveen Kumar Sinha said, "The anniversary of Operation Blue Star is on the 6th June; in connection with this, numerous programs and events take place, creating a heightened and sensitive security environment. In this context, we have established a comprehensive security grid across Punjab, specifically in Amritsar and its surrounding areas."
Special DGP Praveen Kumar Sinha confirmed that 5 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are now stationed within the city limits to bolster the existing police presence.
On the total troop strength stationed in the city, the Special DGP further said, "We held extensive meetings yesterday and today; we also visited the field to inspect the troop deployments... Around 4,000 police personnel have been deployed. We have brought in 2,000 policemen and 30 gazetted officers from outside the district, while another 2,000 personnel from the Amritsar district police force are also stationed here and remain on high alert. Additionally, within Amritsar city, we have deployed 5 companies of the CAPF."
June 6, 1984, marked the day when the Indian Army, under Operation Blue Star, stormed into the Golden Temple on orders of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to contain Sikh militancy under the leadership of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in Punjab. It was reported that Bhindranwale had stashed large quantities of arms on the Golden Temple premises.
Bhindranwale was the head of the radical Sikh outfit Damdami Taksal. He, along with his armed followers, was killed during Operation Blue Star, launched by the Indian Army to flush out the militants from the Golden Temple complex in June 1984.
The Operation was heavily criticised. Months later, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh, at her New Delhi residence on October 31, 1984.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Every year same story, same security drama. The real issue remains unaddressed - healing the wounds of 1984. Both sides need to move forward, but that requires genuine dialogue, not just police deployment. Jai Hind.
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Operation Blue Star was a painful chapter. It should never have come to that. What we need now is unity and respect for all communities. 4,000 police personnel is a lot but I do appreciate the Punjab Police being proactive.
As an outsider looking in, it's tough to understand the deep emotions tied to this. But the security arrangements seem sensible. Hope the day passes without any untoward incident for the people of Amritsar.
I was born in 1990, so I don't remember those days. But growing up in Punjab, I saw how the scars of 1984 affected generations. Security is fine, but what about economic development? Tourism and business in Amritsar need support too. 😔
Waheguji ka shukar hai ke police alert hai. But yeh sab kuch sirf ek din ke liye nahi hona chahiye - pura saal aman shanti ke liye kaam karna chahiye. Golden Temple ki shaan ko koi dag nahi lagne dena chahiye.
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