Operation Blue Star: 28 yrs on, militancy fear back in Punjab

Chandigarh: Not learning from a dark past, on the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, a series of arrests has once again raised fears of militancy in the state. There were also reports of increasing number of youngsters from the state undergoing training in Pakistan.

Provocative statements from the SAD-dominated SGPC focus only on the militant leaders, sidelining the loss of innocent lives.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal said, "The memorial is for all those who died during Operation Blue Star. There were thousands of people inside the Golden Temple then."

There were also reports of increasing number of youngsters from the state undergoing terror training in Pakistan.

The horrific episode of 1984 left in its wake a trail of death, destruction and revenge. Pakistan-trained militant Satnam Singh Satta triggered twin blasts at the Jalandhar bus -stand in 2006 killing three people. A Khalistan Zindabad Force operative, Satta admitted that the blasts were his way of avenging the 1984 riots.

After all these years, many people are trying to seek closure in their hearts and minds. But for others, the thirst for revenge is making them undergo training in Pakistan and return to India to spread terror and violence. Punjab Police recently nabbed two terrorists from Banga near Jalandhar with a haul of RDX, weapons and ammunition.

Sociologists, meanwhile, blame the SGPC and Akali Dal for mixing religion and politics. The mash-up, they fear is a regressive step.

Militancy in Punjab has always stood on a foundation of religious and communal issues. On the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, once again these issues are being stoked by the SGPC. And the result for Punjab could be terrifying, once again.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)