Bluestar anniversary: SGPC task force, Sikh youths clash

Tribune News Service 

Amritsar, June 6 

The Operation Bluestar anniversary was marred by a violent incident as the SGPC task force and a group of Sikh youths entered into a scuffle following which the task force members allegedly thrashed them inside a room at the Golden Temple complex on Saturday.

(Video: SGPC task force, Sikh youths clash)

The scuffle took place a few hours after an event to mark the occasion passed off peacefully. These youths were repeatedly making rounds of Akal Takht despite repeated pleas by the task force against doing so.

However, they didn’t heed to the advice and entered into an argument that finally led to a tiff between the two in the afternoon.

The task force members, who outnumbered Sikh youth, reportedly took them to a room near Akal Takht and beat them up before handing them over to the police. They were taken to hospital for medical examination.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Parampal Singh said that a group of around 12 persons entered in scuffle with the SGPC taskforce and wanted to gain entry in the Akal Takht. They were beaten up by the SGPC task force.

The police officials also reached there and took them in their custody. He said further action would be initiated after they receive a written complaint from the SGPC.

Meanwhile, the Amritsar Bandh call given by the Dal Khalsa to mark Operation Bluestar anniversary remained successful with almost all the shops remaining closed during the day. 

Earlier, in his address, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh gave a call to the community to jointly work against evils like drug addiction, apostasy and female foeticide.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar and Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa.