AMRITSAR: Police clamped a curfew on the Sikh Holy City today to block Sikh pilgrims from going to the Golden Temple and to avert communal clashes after unknown gunmen killed six Hindus on the eve of the third anniversary of the Indian army’s assault on the Golden Temple.
Police sources said the curfew was expected to remain in force until after tomorrow, the final day of the three day commemoration of the army storming.
Indian troops entered the Temple Complex on June 4, 1984 and took three days to ‘overcome the freedom fighters led by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who defended the complex till the end.
The Operation cost more than 10,000 lives including that of Bhindranwale and outraged the Sikhs worldwide, eventually leading to the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her bodyguards.
Bullet holes and damage by army tanks are still visible in the building surrounding the actual temple, which stands in the center of a marble lined artificial lake.
Freedom fighters inside the complex had planned meetings tomorrow to mark the anniversary to honor families of those who they said had died in police custody.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 11, 1990
