Clash in Golden Temple complex on Operation Blue Star anniversary
Amritsar, June 6: Brandishing of swords and open use of sticks was witnessed on Wednesday during a ceremony to mark the 34th anniversary of the Army's 'Operation Blue Star' inside the Golden Temple complex.
The clash between radical Sikh elements and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) took place right in front of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh religion.
The incident took place just about 100 feet from the sanctum sanctorum 'Harmandir Sahib', the holiest of Sikh shrines located inside the Golden Temple complex here.
At least one person was injured as the SGPC task force members tried to prevent the radical elements from disturbing the ceremony.
Video footage of the incident showed task force members attacking the radicals who were raising secessionist slogans. The radical elements raised pro-Khalistan (a separate Sikh homeland) and anti-India slogans.
Police personnel, present inside the shrine complex in plainclothes, tried to control the situation from getting out of hand.
"A turban was thrown on the ground in the clash," one eyewitness told IANS.
The SGPC officials said the situation was prevented from getting out of control due to swift action by the task force members.
Akal Takht jathedar (chief) Gurbachan Singh said the ceremony was held "peacefully" as a remembrance of the sacrifice of hundreds of people who were killed during the Army's 'Operation Blue Star' in June 1984.
The Army carried out the operation to flush out heavily armed militants and radicals from inside the shrine complex between June 1-10, 1984.
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UAE issues fresh emergency alert, says situation currently safe
Dubai/Abu Dhabi: Residents and visitors across the United Arab Emirates received a fresh emergency alert on their mobile phones stating that the situation in the country is currently safe.
The message, issued by the Ministry of Interior (MOI), thanked people for their cooperation and reassured them that conditions were stable.
“Thank you for your cooperation. We reassure you that the situation is currently safe. You may resume your normal activities while continuing to remain cautious and take the necessary precautions, and to follow official instructions. (MOI),” the alert read.
The notification was sent in both Arabic and English through the country’s emergency alert system.
The advisory comes after earlier alerts warning of potential missile threats amid rising regional tensions. Authorities have urged the public to stay cautious and follow official guidance.
