Dal Khalsa’s shutdown call receives robust response from Amritsar locals

AMRITSAR SAHIB—On the 33^rd anniversary of June 1984 holocaust, the shutdown call given by pro-freedom Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa received robust response from Amritsar masses. Some of the markets were observed completely closed till 5 pm in the evening.

Most prominent banks in the city (both private and public sector) were seen operating with their shutters down, leading to low public dealing.  Shopping malls were also closed till 4 pm.

It may be recalled here that the Dal Khalsa had given call for Amritsar shutdown to pay tribute to the martyrs of June 1984 holocaust.  While the shutdown call was not aimed at medical shops and the transport industry, blockage in transport and closure of medical shops was observed today putting the commuters and patients into trouble.

While petrol pumps gave a deserted look, public transport facility was also affected as hardly any passenger was seen at bus and train spots.  Many people skipped work from all over Amritsar to avoid any possible clashes.

The Police cops and paramilitary forces kept a strong vigil on all the popular areas of the city, including Lawrence road, Ranjit Avenue, Mall Road, Maqbool Road and Queens Road. The officials deployed on the crossings and inside the market made sure that there were no forcible shutdowns.

Meanwhile, the Dal Khalsa’s spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh appreciated the support provided by Amritsar masses for keeping their business entities closed for a day to pay homage to the martyrs of June 1984 holocaust.  He claimed that no forcible closure was done by their activists and people voluntarily closed their establishments.

He added that the shutdown call was meant as a protest against the killings of hundreds of innocent pilgrims; the alleged loot of invaluable holy books, manuscripts and artifacts from the Sikh Reference Library; and to recall and relive the pain and agony of the attack, besides paying tributes to all those killed by the security forces, inside the sanctum sanctorum Sri Harmandir Sahib in June 1984.