CHANDIGARH: In a symbolic attempt to reinforce the government’s writ in the strife-tom state the Punjab government Jan 16 announced its decision to hold the Republic Day function in Amritsar’s worst-affected sub-division of Tarn Taran a stronghold of militants. The governor Gen. O.P .Malhotra will take the salute. This symbolic gesture is significant because of what the govt alleges as ‘threats by militants to. Hindus to vacate the three border districts of Amritsar Gurdaspur and Ferozepur and a directive to convert Amritsar into a holy city which involves a complete ban on the sale and consumption of items like liquor meat eggs and cigarettes by January 26.
The militants have also given a call to the Sikhs to boycott the Republic Day celebrations to mark the rejection of the anti-Sikh Indian Constitution as also to protest against the silent presence of the Indian forces in Khalistan.
The proposal to hold the Republic Day function at Tarn Taran this year is said to have come from the governor himself who has been actively engaged in touring the state for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation ever since he took charge last month.
The salute at the Republic Day functions in the districts will be taken by senior government officials In the other militant-affected border districts of Gurdaspur the new chief secretary Mr Tejinder Khanna will take the salute while Mr P.K. Kathpalia will take the salute in Faridkot. Mr Hardial Singh financial commissioner will take the salute at Amritsar. Tarn Taran a border sub-division known to symbolize the wild west of Punjab has contributed the maximum to the ranks of militants in the state this sub-division is virtually controlled by the militants who have managed to paralysed government functioning almost totally. More recently even the Intelligence Bureau is reported to have had to wind up some of its operations finding it difficult to work in the interior areas of the sub-division.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 25, 1991
