Amid battle of posters, panic grips Phagwara ahead of Operation Bluestar anniversary
With many Sikh organisations and Hindu factions gearing up to observe the 33rd anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6, police officials here are on toes. Supporters have put up hoardings across the city, paying tribute to their ‘heroes’.
Sikh hardliners installed posters with photograph of militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale on Friday.
Shiv Sena activists demanded removal of the posters. On Saturday, however, the Hindu outfits installed posters with photographs of the then Punjab director general of police (DGP) KPS Gill and prime minister Indira Gandhi.
Jalandhar deputy inspector general of police (DIG) Jaskaran Singh held a meeting with Kapurthala senior superintendent (SSP) SK Sharma, Phagwara superintendent (SP) Harwinder Singh, Phagwara sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Balbir Singh and members of Phagwara Peace Committee, to discuss the security arrangements.
The DIG asked the police to not allow any religious group to install hoardings in the city.
“Any group who wants to install a hoarding before May 6 should seek permission from the local administration two days before installation,” DIG Singh said.
He has also asked the administration to not allow anyone to install more than 2*2 size posters. Also, people have to inform the administration before organising ‘shabeels’ or community kitchens and people should not carry any sharp-edged weapons at these spots.
Both factions have been asked to remove the hoardings before 6pm on May 6. Activists of Sikh and Hindu outfits have also been asked not to misuse social media.