Hindustan Times (Jalandhar)

7 paramilita­ry companies to keep vigil in Amritsar

- Aseem Bassi aseem.bassi@hindustant­imes.com

AMRITSAR: With multiple radical outfits and organisati­ons gearing up to observe the 33rd anniversar­y of Operation Bluestar on June 6, the city police officials are on toes.As per informatio­n 7 companies of paramilita­ry forces have been called to ensure a peaceful event.

Apart from the paramilita­ry troops, around 2,000 cops from neighbouri­ng districts have been also called in. The movement of the cops, around the Golden Temple and areas near it, has also increased. As many outfits had announced to hold a ‘remembranc­e march’ before the anniversar­y, police are watchful that nothing goes wrong.

Outfits like Dal Khalsa, SAD (Amritsar) and All India Sikh Student Federation led by Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad will be holding marches across the city in coming days.

Amritsar police commission­er S Srivastava said, “Two companies of the Rapid Action Force and five companies of the CRPF have been called in as part of the security arrangemen­ts. They will be deployed today.

Around 1,500 to 2,000 cops of the Punjab police will also be involved in the security arrangemen­ts.” Police officials will also be present in plain clothes inside the shrine. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Task Force is also gearing up to tackle any sort of situation.

Security has been enhanced for the anniversar­y since a couple of years ago a clash between SGPC Task Force and members of a radical body in 2014 had left around 8 persons injured during the Operation Bluestar anniversar­y. Seeking cooperatio­n of different outfits to ensure that the Operation Bluestar anniversar­y is observed peacefully, the SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar met Kanwarpal Singh Bittu, spokespers­on of the radical outfit Dal Khalsa.

Badungar also met SAD (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann.The SGPC chief sought their cooperatio­n in ensuring the ‘maryada’ is maintained in the shrine while observing the anniversar­y on June 6. The SGPC chief also met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh regarding the anniversar­y.

ALL SIKH BODIES TO OBSERVE ANNIV

SANGRUR: SAD (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann said various Sikh organisati­ons, along with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) are going to remember Sikh “genocide” jointly which is a positive sign for the Sikh community. “We will remember Operation Bluestar jointly this time. Even Sikhs did not participat­e in KPS Gill’s last rites they will also not attend his bhog ceremony.” Mann told HT.

2,000 COPS ALSO TO BE DEPLOYED ; POLICE TO BE PRESENT IN PLAIN CLOTHES INSIDE THE GOLDEN TEMPLE

 ?? GURPREET SINGH/ HT ?? Police officials checking a vehicle ahead of Operation Bluestar anniversar­y in Amritsar on Tuesday.
GURPREET SINGH/ HT Police officials checking a vehicle ahead of Operation Bluestar anniversar­y in Amritsar on Tuesday.

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