Himachal-Punjab Tensions Deepen Over Miscreants FaceOff

There is a clear attempt to give a communal and regional colour to what is essentially a plain law and order problem involving some elements of neighbouring Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. On expected lines are the political forces trying to extract some kind of political narrative from the situation that has emerged.

It all began a few days ago with videos of a clash between some Sikh youth on a visit to Manikaran in Kullu and locals objecting to the flags and photographs of slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale on their motorcycles. The videos showed the locals entering into heated arguments with the Sikh youth and forcibly removing the flags from their motorcycles.

This was followed by videos from some hard line elements in Punjab reacting to the episode with threats. As if this was not enough some elements in Punjab went on to vandalize the buses being run by Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) through Punjab, writing slogans on them and pasting stickers of Bhindrawale’s pictures on them. This led to a further war of words and the HRTC reportedly suspended operations on some routes.

Residents, including stakeholders in the business and tourism industry in Kullu when contacted by The Citizen stated that such spats have become a routine of sorts over the last three years from the days preceding Holi till Baisakhi. Theysaid that a large number of ‘rowdy’ youth head towards Manikaran that houses a historic Gurudwara using the twin routes of Anandpur Sahib and Una.

“These include Sikhs as well as non-turbaned youth hell bent on not wearing mandatory helmets by just tying scarves on their head. They support flags bearing pictures and slogans that offend local sensibilities. At times they misbehave with the local population including businessmen. For example, I have youngsters fleeing my petrol pump without paying for the fuel at least three to four times every year,” a petrol pump owner in the said.

This is precisely what the other groups are waiting for and the trouble escalates. This time around also there have been messages on the social media saying, “Sikh pilgrims are welcome but those supporting seperatists and anti-nationals like Bhindranwale will be dealt with severely.”

The locals point out that there has never been any problem with the educated Punjabi gentry that come in large numbers round the year with their families.

However there is resentment against the Police for being soft and not treating everyone with the same yardstick. They say that while the Police issues online challans on minor pretexts to the locals as well as tourists vehicles from outside, nothing is done to penalize the motorcycle borne trouble makers violating the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) with impunity.

“The law should treat everyone equally. Such spats as reported in the last few days make the tourists coming from other states wary after reading such news. In fact the authorities should deploy extra Police in the area during this period,” pointed out Anil Kant who runs a hotel in the Tosh area of the Manikaran valley.

People in Punjab pointed out that the youth need to acknowledge local sensibilities. Vijay Bombeli who is a chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary political history put things in a perspective saying, “The elements going towards Himachal indulging in such acts is brash and draws a reaction from similar counterparts there. In the process they do not realize that they become tools in the hands of fundamentalist forces.”

He further said, “It is anyone’s guess who gains from episodes and narratives that discredit the state governments whether it is Himachal Pradesh or Punjab. If one looks in the larger framework such episodes might be used in spinning narratives for the forthcoming elections in Bihar.”

The recent developments have drawn political reactions on expected lines both in Himachal Pradesh as well as Punjab. Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) leader of opposition in the state assembly Jai Ram Thakur said, “Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu should take up the matter with his Punjab counterpart to restore a conducive atmosphere where people of both the states can travel safely. Maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the government and anybody doing wrong should be dealt with in accordance with the law.” He said that during his tenure as the Chief Minister the government had nabbed two accused of writing Khalistani graffiti and Bhindranwale slogans on the walls of the state assembly premises in Dharamshala within two days.

Meanwhile Sukhhvinder Singh has taken up the matter with his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann who has promised to take action against the miscreants.

In Punjab the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) while condemning the repeated incidents of attacks on ‘Sikh pilgrims and other tourists from Punjab’ by ‘unruly mobs’ in Himachal Pradesh and other hill states has demanded strict action against the culprits.

Senior party leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema while calling for maintaining peace and communal harmony, said, “Such incidents are a result of a sustained misinformation and hatred campaign against the Sikh community by anti social elements and agencies. Their sole aim is to disturb peace and communal harmony in the region to realize their ulterior political motives.”

He said a mechanism should be evolved to educate the people and make them aware of the religious symbols and traditions and consequences of such provocative incidents.

On the other hand the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has sought action against communal elements in Himachal Pradesh. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has stated that such incidents are not in the national interest. He said that everyone has the full right to protect the values of their faith and to visit their religious shrines.

The incidents occurring with Sikh pilgrims in Himachal Pradesh clearly indicate that the state government and Police administration are failing to fulfill their responsibilities.