CHANDIGARH, India: The Punjab government is withdrawing some of the relaxations it ordered in the hope of returning to normalcy in the state in the wake of the imposition of Presidential rule in Punjab. The State government is alleged to have directed six magistrates to re impose the ban on two wheeler riding. This has been done because the gunmen have used them in performing their tasks and then escaping from the scene of the action.
The most daring incidence of the misuse of the relaxation was the killing of Shiv Sena leader Krishan Mahajari in Ludhiana two days ago by scooter borne gunmen. According to indications, the relaxation in late running shops and eating places extended at certain places will also be withdrawn. The withdrawal of this relaxation is expected to be enforced in Amritsar and Ludhiana presently under curfew and other districts. The naka bandi of other areas may also be activated.
The Ludhiana incident is considered to be a lapse on the part of law and order forces in which scooter borne gunmen could not be checked before and after the act was committed. The car bomb in Jullundur and gunning down the employees in the industries department at Amritsar are also cited as cases in which strict vigilance might have prevented the atrocities. The first week of June is considered a critical period because of Operation Blue Star that was undertaken in the first week of this month three years ago. The authorities apprehend that freedom fighters might try to avenge the mass killings during the army action in the Golden Temple Complex in June, 1984. The government is worried because of the escalation in violence in the past three weeks following the imposition of Presidential rule. Some stringent measures are expected in order to meet the fresh violence challenge. Meanwhile, according to a report from Amritsar, freedom fighters could not hold a function on June 6 to make the anniversary of Operation Blue Star owing to imposition of curfew in the town by the district administration.
Meanwhile a bomb exploded in a gurdwara. Three people including a freedom fighter were killed and an indefinite curfew was imposed in the walled city of Amritsar while the Hindu Shiv Sena sponsored Bandh evokekd a poor response in Punjab two days ago.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 12, 1987
