UK govt ordered urgent probe into Thatcher link to Operation Bluestar (1984)
British Prime Minister David Cameron ordered his cabinet secretary to inquire into newly-released documents suggesting Margaret Thatcher government facilitated the Indian government in 1984 to plan Operation Blue Star against separatists hiding inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The investigation will examine two issues – British action in 1984 and the decision to release such sensitive government papers.
About Operation Blue Star
- In 1982, armed men, led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, took up residence in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab.
- In order to remove JS Bhindranwale and his armed followers from the GoldenTemple, an Indian military operation (known as Operation Blue Star) took place on June 3–8, 1984, ordered by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
- Lieutenant-General Kuldip Singh Brar commanded the Operation Blue Star to overpower JS Bhindranwale and Sikh revolutionaries.
- The bloody and heavily criticized operation led to the assassination of then PM Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards (Satwant Singh and Beant Singh) on October 31, 1984.
Afterwards, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in the resulting anti-Sikh riots.
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Month: Current Affairs - January, 2014
Category: Places in News Current Affairs