Pro-Khalistan slogans and posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were displayed at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab, by protesters on Saturday.
A large crowd gathered at the Sri Akal Takht sahib, the highest religious seat of the Sikhs, on the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star, an Indian army mission to clear extremist elements from the temple in 1984.
Bhindarewale was said to be the man who led the Sikh extremists inside the premises in 1984. He was the head of the Damdami Taksal, an orthodox Sikh educational organisation and seminary founded by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji.
June 6 is also his death anniversary.
Ahead of the anniversary, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Praveen Kumar Sinha visited Amritsar to review security preparations and troop deployment.
He said that the anniversary of Operation blue star is marked by various events and gatherings every year, making it a sensitive occasion from a security perspective.
He also confirmed that nearly 4000 police personnel were deployed to ensure a peaceful atmosphere.
"We held extensive meetings yesterday and today; we also visited the field to inspect the troop deployments... Around 4,000 police personnel have been deployed. We have brought in 2,000 policemen and 30 gazetted officers from outside the district, while another 2,000 personnel from the Amritsar district police force are also stationed here and remain on high alert. Additionally, within Amritsar city, we have deployed 5 companies of the CAPF," he said.
Supporters of the Sikh organisation held placards and large posters of Bhindranwale. Protesters and various organisations hold special prayers every year on June 6th, remembering the man and the others killed during the operation.
Operation Blue Star was a major military operation conducted between 1 and 8th June 1984. It was launched on the order of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The Indian army launched an operation to target followers of Bhindranwale .
He was killed along with his followers during the military action.
Months later, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her bodyguards, Beant Singh and Datwant Singh, at her New Delhi residence on October 31.
