Security – Enhanced Arrangements Mark Operation Blue Star Anniversary Observance
Security – Authorities tightened security measures in Amritsar on Friday as people gathered at the Akal Takht Sahib to mark the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star. During the observance, posters featuring Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were distributed, while several attendees paid tribute to the former Damdami Taksal leader, who was killed during the military operation conducted in June 1984.
Commemoration Held at Akal Takht Sahib
The anniversary event drew visitors to the Akal Takht Sahib, where Bhindranwale was remembered by supporters on the occasion of his death anniversary. Slogans supporting the Khalistan movement were also raised by some individuals present during the gathering, reflecting the continuing sensitivity surrounding the historical events linked to Operation Blue Star.
Police Increase Vigil Across Amritsar
In view of the anniversary, Punjab Police implemented extensive security arrangements across the city. Senior officers confirmed that checkpoints had been established at multiple locations to monitor movement and prevent any unlawful activity.
Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishaljit Singh said security personnel had been deployed in large numbers, with barricades placed on roads leading to the Golden Temple complex. The measures were aimed at ensuring public safety and maintaining order during the commemorative events.
Thousands of Personnel Deployed
Ahead of the anniversary, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Praveen Kumar Sinha conducted a review of security preparations in Amritsar. According to officials, nearly 4,000 police personnel were assigned to duty to maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the city and nearby areas.
Sinha stated that June 6 remains a particularly sensitive date because various programmes and gatherings are organised each year in connection with Operation Blue Star. He added that a comprehensive security network had been established throughout Punjab, with special attention given to Amritsar and surrounding districts.
Historical Significance of June 1984
Operation Blue Star was launched by the Indian Army in June 1984 under the direction of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The operation targeted militants who had taken positions inside the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. Bhindranwale, who had emerged as a prominent figure associated with the demand for a separate Sikh state, was among those killed during the military action.
Reports at the time indicated that weapons had been stockpiled within the temple premises, prompting the government to order the operation. The events of June 1984 remain one of the most debated chapters in modern Indian history and continue to evoke strong reactions across different sections of society.
Lasting Impact on Indian Politics
The operation faced widespread criticism and generated significant political and social consequences. Later that year, on October 31, 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated at her residence in New Delhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh.
More than four decades later, the anniversary of Operation Blue Star continues to attract attention across Punjab, prompting both commemorative gatherings and heightened security measures as authorities work to maintain peace and public order.