Blue Star anniversary observed peacefully at Golden Temple

Amritsar, June 6 (UNI) The 22nd anniversary of 'Operation Bluestar' which is observed every year as 'ghallughara divas' (genocide day) passed off peacefully inside the Golden Temple complex here today.

Akali leaders joined the prayer meeting at the Akal Takht in the Golden Temple complex, paying homage to those killed during the operation in 1984 on this day, coinciding with the martyrdom day of fifth Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Parkash Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann were among the senior leaders who paid obeisance at the Golden Temple.

Though the Akali leaders decided not to deliver speeches, a few radical elements raised pro-Khalistan slogans on the occasion. They were, however, pacified by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) task force.

Later talking to newsmen, Mr Badal said that a handful of people with a radical bent had no mass support and they wanted to create confusion and gain political mileage.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann, talking to newspersons, demanded ''a Sikh nation.'' Taking a strong exception to the utterances of Mr Mann, Mr Badal said that the 'panth' (Sikh community) had been observing the day of martyrs peacefully while certain radical elements used such occasions for political mileage.

SGPC president Avtar Singh, along with a large number of senior Akali leaders and SGPC members, participated in the 'ardas' performed at the Akal Takht in memory of those killed during the operation.

Shiv Sena also held a religious ceremony at Durgiana temple in memory of those killed in Operation Bluestar.

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