JALANDHAR: Suspected Sikh militants struck at the B..P. chief Murli Manohar Joshis “unity march” at Mehta village near Phagwaraon Thursday killing four and injuring 20 participants.
The Hindu fundamentalist organization has arranged the “march” from south India to Srinagar where it will terminate on January 26, according to the Schedule circulated by the party. The pany chief will unfurl India’s flag at Lal Chowk (Red Square), Srinagar, to signify Indias right to the, Kashmir valley.
Two Sikh political groups headed respectively by Simran jit Singh Mann and Manjit Singh have announced their plan to organize a “counter march” to Srinagar to oppose the BP,s “march” on January 26. The political aim appears to be to show solidarity with Kashmiris fighting for freedom from India.
Violence was widely anticipated while the marchers passed through Punjab on their way to Kashmir. Indias Home Minister S.B.Chavan had, in fact, gently warned the B 5 leadership either terminate the “march” immediately of reduce its size so that stricter security arrangements could be made.
Indian authorities at the same time made elaborate arrangements to protect the BL.P.s marchers. An armed security man stood guard almost at every 100 yards on the 200 km route through Punjab. But the suspected Sikh ligase chaws oar bus ads of marchers who had bypassed Chandigarh and were directly on their way to Pathan kot from Amabala, Joshi and his 70odd associated visited Chandigarh, addressed a publically and stayed there for the night on Wednesday. It was this group which was heavily guarded but those who left Amabala for Pathankot almost unguarded had to pay a heavy price at Mehta village.
Joshis cavalcade from Chandigarh to Pathankot was escorted by four companies comprising 500 armed policemen and was led jointly by D.R Bhati, D.I.G, Punjab police and a CRPF. DG. The contingent hhad as many as six S.Ps and 14 DSPs also, While BLP men were travelling by 15 vehicles, the number of police vehicles was 35..
Meanwhile, Indian authorities reported that Kashmiri militants were calling for a massive attack (on the “Hindu fundamentalists” in Kashmir. India also said that the BJP, leaders had accepted the governments suggestion to reduce the number of marchers to bare minimum, BJP. Leader I.K. Advani said in a statement that Indian government could not escape from responsibility for the attack on the marchers near Phagwara. Congress (I) general secretary Chandutal Chandrakar in a statement at Delhi asked the BJP. Leadership to end the march and not to create complications for India’s security forces.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 31, 1992
