CHANDIGARH: Burning the copies of Indian Constitution wearing black turbans by Sikhs burning the Indian tricolor flag in Kashmir and holding demonstrations hoisting Kesri (Khalistan) flags in some parts of Punjab boycotting the functions organized respect of Indian Constitution rockets attack on Republic Day functions are the main features of the 45th Republic Day celebration one hand and the 21 gun Salute to the Indian President Dr.Shankar Dayal Sharma followed by the two hours parade on the other hand at Raj Path New Delhi.
The Sikhs have boycotted the Republic Day functions in protest 4gainst the human rights violations and held demonstration at various places In village Kotlli under district Patiala 4 demonstration with the play cards Government treats Sikhs as animals and slaves was taken out. In Bassi-Pathana a village under Fatehgarh Sahib District & Kesri flag (Khalistan flag) was hoisted and most of the villagers were seen wearing black turbans to mark Jan.26 as Black Day. The Indian constitution was reportedly burnt at Rode native village or Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in Faridkot district The Black Day call in Punjab given by Akali Dal (Mann) has evoked near total response in villages and interior part of Punjab. The response was poor at major cities. According to Iqbal Singh Tiwana Deputy Secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal the boycott was complete as most of Sikhs were seen with black turbans. He said in Ropar Patiala Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib Districts villagers have hoisted black flags at the outskirts of the villages early in the morning.
Despite beefed-up security around Bakshi Stadium at Srinagar venue of the Republic Day parade here last week militants fired two rockets towards the stadium while the parade was on. The rockets fell short Of target. While one hit a tree near the stadium gate the other hit a water tank in the adjacent Iqbal Park the militants also attacked Security pickets with rockets and opened fire at a number of places in and outside Srinagar last week an official spokesman said. In Jammu militants lobbed two hand-grenades at the office of the Doda Superintendent of Police in which six guards were injured. It may be recalled that on Jan.23 a Border Security Force (BSF) Commandant and Assistant Commandant of 97th battalion were killed in one of the bloodiest encounters between the forces and the militants. According lo the reports reaching here complete bandh (strike) in Kashmir Valley disrupting the normal life marked the ‘Republic Day. Most of the Kashmiris boycotted the Republic Day functions In Anantnag Indian tricolor Mag was burnt while at Baramulla a Pakistani flag was hoisted. Kashmiri protested against human rights violations at Pahalgam After a reshuffle between the militants and Indian forces at Lar curfew was imposed as precautionary Measure.
Report from Manipur said that the 48-hour Manipur bandh has evoked total response in the state affecting normal life in hilly area. The bandh has been called by the Kuki National Front to press for a Kukiland by carving out Kuki inhabited areas in Manipur The services of Manipur State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and of private companies were suspended in view of the bandh the Republic Day functions are boycotted on the call given by militants outfits
Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) and Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). These outfits are protesting against the merger of Manipur with India. In Hubli (Maharastra) over 70 persons were injured in violence more than 500 arrested when police failed attempts by the BJPRSS combine to hoist the national tricolor at the controversial Idgah Maidan on Republic Day. The curfew-bound Hubli resembled a city under siege with massive police forces and barricades around the Maidan.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 4, 1994
