AMRITSAR, Punjab, India: Following a big turnout of Sikh devotees in the Golden Temple, Amritsar, on the of Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji the security forces again seized and encircled the Holiest Shrine. Although J.F. Ribeiro, the Director General of Police, gave the reasons for the present blockade of the Temple as activities and presence of the freedom fighters inside the Golden Temple. But the political sources described this blockade to discourage the Sikh devotees to pay their homage to the Golden Temple. He also accused the Sikhs at large and S.G.P.C. for not exercising any control over the freedom fighters who according to him have total control over the management of the Temple.

Mr, Ribeiro also gave a broad hint that police can enter the Golden Temple any time to flush out Sikh freedom fighters.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 1, 1988