Op Bluestar: SGPC appeals for peace

Amritsar : SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar has sought the support of Sikh hardliners to ensure that the anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6 passes off peacefully.
He held a meeting with SAD(A) president Simranjit Singh Mann at Fatehgarh Sahib yesterday. The latter told Badungar that his supporters would offer prayers during the religious programme.
Clashes have been witnessed during congregations on the anniversary of Operation Bluestar at the Akal Takht in recent years. Badungar also met Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh and discussed ways to make the event peaceful in accordance with maryada. Kanwar Pal assured him that members of all groups associated with his party will fully cooperate with the SGPC. “Our group has always maintained that internecine feuds at sacred places, especially Darbar Sahib are detrimental to maryada and Panthic interests,” he added. Dal Khalsa sought help from the SGPC in spreading the word to all local gurdwara committees in Punjab to hold prayer on June 6. He also urged Baduangar to install portraits of martyrs of June 1984 at the lower ground of the Shaheedi Yaadgar- a gurdwara built in memory of the martyrs within Darbar Sahib complex. He presented a copy of the Directory of Martyrs of the June 1984 holocaust to the SGPC chief.