Amritsar, Punjab (June 06, 2014): Violent clashes between a group of Sikh youth and members of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Task Force at Akal Takhat Sahib marred the 30th anniversary of Indian army’s attack on Darbar Sahib.
Devout Sikhs who had gathered at Akal Takht Sahib to mark 30th anniversary of Ghallughara June 1984 and pay tributes to the Sikh martyrs, felt hurt over the clashes.
At least 6 persons including a police head constable were injured in the clashes, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special) Harjit Singh Brar.
As per information the as many as 21 Sikh youth were rounded up by the SGPC task force who were later handed over to the police. The has reportedly registered a case against persons so held.
In a show of extreme insenstivity, the SGPC task force personnel indiscriminately lathi-charged injurring some minors, women and elderly.
Trouble started when Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann demanded to address the gathering from the rostrum of Akal Takht, but was denied by SGPC officials.
A separate mike was arranged for Mann by his supporters and Mann managed to deliver his speech near the Akal Takht before leaving. The function organised by SGPC to honour families of those killed in operation Blue Star ended, and Akal Takht chief Giani Gurbachan Singh had finished his address when the trouble started.
A groups of Sikh youth, supposed to be supporters of SAD (Mann) raised slogans inside the Akal Takhat Sahib, which intensified the situation.
The SGPC task force made a human wall around the Akal Takht entrance after locking the door. Tensions were high despite police, dressed in plain clothes.
According to certain media reports the Akal Takht Jathedar later called the violence a handiwork of “agencies”. He added that the perpetrators behind the violence would be punished.
