Sikh protests halt rail traffic in Punjab

[John Ashworth]

Sikh protests continue in N India, rail traffic suspended in Punjab

China View 2009-04-09 13:44:15

SRINAGAR, India-controlled Kashmir, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Inspired by the protest of a Sikh journalist who hurled his shoe at Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday, Sikhs in northern Punjab state blocked railways Wednesday to protest the mandating to run in general elections by the ruling Congress party of a politician who led anti-Sikh riots in 1984.

Rail traffic in most parts of Punjab Wednesday remained paralyzed for about six hours as Sikhs demonstrated on railway tracks to register their protest.

The activists squatted on rail line at Gyaspura on Ludhiana-Ambala rail section, Mannwala and Beas on Amritsar-Jalandhar Rail Section and Dakoya on Jalandhar-Phagwara rail sections and blocked rail traffic on these routes.

The protesters were demanding cancellation of Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar's candidature in the upcoming general elections for their role in 1984 anti-Sikh riots in which 3,000 Sikhs were reportedly slaughtered.

The riots came after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for her order to raid the Amritsar Golden Temple, the most sacred worshipping shrine for the Sikhs, with army tanks.

Sikh protesters alleged that Indian's premier investigating agency, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), with the influence of Congress-led government, has tried to shield Tytler and Kumar indicted for the killings.

CBI has recently given clean chit to both Jagdish Tytler and Sajan Kumar in the case after 25 years.

Earlier the Nanavati Commission - probing the case - had stated that there was "credible evidence" against Tytler, and that he "very probably" was one of those responsible for orchestrating the attacks against Sikhs.

The growing protests have started to haunt Congress party, which is rethinking over giving mandate to Tytler and Kumar.

Meanwhile, a Sikh political party in Punjab has offered a mandate Amritsar constituency to Sikh journalist Jarnail Singh who had hurled his shoe at P. Chidambaram Tuesday.