Terrorism on the Rise in Punjab

June 3, 2005

Source: Hindustan Times

Wire Service: IANS

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1386312,000900010001.htm

On June 3, 2005 the Indo-Asian News Service reported, "The first week of June every year is a troublesome month for some people in Punjab. This time it is no different and the ghost of Sikh militancy has come to haunt the state again this week. The decision by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee - the religious parliament of Sikhs - to build a memorial to those killed in the Indian Army's assault on the Golden Temple in 1984 has revived painful memories of Punjab's brush with terrorism in the 1980's and 90's. Indian troops stormed the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine, in Amritsar in June 1984 to flush out Sikh militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Besides militants, many innocents too died in the military operation. The week is observed as 'Ghallughara week' in Punjab to highlight the killings that took place. Just a couple of days before the 21st anniversary of the attack, the SGPC announced its plan to have a memorial for those killed in the 'Operation Bluestar.' The announcement would not go down well with authorities as they know that the memorial would be more to terrorists than innocent civilians who were killed in the offensive."