Time Line

India    10-Jan-1986

The radical Sikh students’ group AISSF called for the “Rasta Roko Agitation”. However, it did not evoke any response from the public.


India    10-Jan-1986

A “Rasta Roko Agitation” called by .the radical Sikh students’ group AISSF fails to evoke public response.


India    17-Jan-1986

United Akali Dal leader Mohkam Singh rejects the appeal of five -high priests to cooperate with SGPC in re-construction of the Akal Takht, and refuses to recognize the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Kirpal Singh.


India    17-Jan-1986

The United Akali Dal leader, Mohkam Singh rejected the appeal of 5-high priests to cooperate with SGPC in re-construction of the Akal Takht. The United Akali Dal did not recognize the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Kirpal Singh.


India    22-Jan-1986

The President of SGPC announces that a five -member committee comprising Thakur Singh, Jagtar Singh, Harbans Singh, Uttam Singh, Khadoor Sahib, and Deewan Singh would supervise the Kar Sewa from January 26,1986. The AISSF in turn puts up posters saying that Damadami Taksal would be performing Kar Sewa without the help of SGPC.


India    26-Jan-1986

The widows of Bhindranwale, Amrik Singh and Gen. Subeg Singh are honoured and the Khalistan flag is hoisted at the Sarbat Khalsa Samagam, a biannual assembly held at Akal Takht in Amritsar.


India    26-Jan-1986

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kirpal Singh replaced by Jasbir Singh Rode. A five -member Panthic Committee comprising Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, Wassan Singh Zaffarwal, Dhanna Singh, Aroor Singh and Gurdev Singh Usmanwala formed for guiding the Sikh panth.


India    29-Jan-1986

The radical Sikh groups, United Akali Dal, AISSF and Damdami Taksal decided to gherao the district courts on February 21, disrupt the supply of milk and fodder to the cities, and gherao the Vidhan Sabha during the budget session. The President of United Akali Dal, Mohkam Singh, announced the formation of a 151-member Panthic committee for running the Sikh affairs and administration of Gurudwaras.


India    29-Jan-1986

The radical Sikh groups, United Akali Dal, AISSF, and Damdami Taksal decide to gherao district courts on February 21, disrupt the supply of milk and fodder to the cities, and gherao the Vidhan Sabha during the budget session. The President of United Akali Dal, Mohkam Singh, announces the formation of a 151-member Panthic committee for running the Sikh affairs and administration of Gurudwaras.


India    30-Jan-1986

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kirpal Singh announces that that the Sarbat Khalsa Samagam will be held February 16 and changes the venue from Amritsar to Anandpur Sahib.


India    01-Feb-1986

A new extremist organization called “Khalistan Commando Force” comes into existence with Manbir Singh Chaheru as the self-styled ‘commander’ of the organization and Tarsem Singh as the ‘second-in-command’. It aims to avenge the death of Giani Hari Singh of Akhand Kirtani Jatha during the 1978 Nirankari-Akhand Kirtani Jatha/Damdami Taksal clash.


India    01-Feb-1986

A new extremist organization called “Khalistan Commando Force” came into existence with Manbir Singh Chaheru as the ‘self-styled commander’ of the organization and Tarsem Singh as the ‘second-in-command’. The organization was created in the name of Giani Hari Singh of Akhand Kirtani Jatha, who died during the 1978 Nirankari-Akhand Kirtani Jatha/Damdami Taksal clash.


India    04-Feb-1986

The radical groups, United Akali Dal and AISSF attack police blocking their entry into curfew bound Nakodar town in Jalandhar district to avenge the fire in the Granthi’s Gurudwara room rumoured to have been started by Shiv Sena. Four AISSF activists killed and seven others injured in the clash with the police.


India    14-Feb-1986

Gurdev Singh Kaunke, appointed by radical Sikh groups as the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht in absence of Jasbir Singh Rode, declares that the Panthic Committee will send AISSF and Damdami Taksal activists to Anandpur Sahib on February 16.


India    16-Feb-1986

Bhog ceremony held at Golden Temple after Akhand Paath. The foundation stone laid for the reconstruction of Akal Takht and tribute was paid to the assassins of Prime Minister Indira at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.


India    16-Feb-1986

The Sarbat Khalsa Samagam called by Sikh Sahibs declares the decisions taken by United Akali Dal and AISSF during the January 26 Sarbat Khalsa as “null and void”. They also urge the SGPC and Shiromani Akali Dal to stop the interference at Akal Takht by these fringe groups.


India    18-Feb-1986

Thakur Singh of Damdami Taksal declares that he will remain inside the Golden Temple complex until the completion of Kar Sewa.


India    16-Mar-1986

Violent clashes occur between AISSF and Shiv Sena workers near Gurudwara Shri SatKartaria, Batala in Gurdaspur district. The AISSF appeals to Sikhs stop supplying milk and fodder to Batala.


India    21-Mar-1986

Two persons killed in Police firing during clashes after the United Akali Dal workers led by Joginder Singh violated prohibitory orders and gheraoed the Vidhan Sabha.


India    26-Mar-1986

Separate conferences organized by United Akali Dal/AISSF/Damdami Taksal and Shiromani Akali Dal at Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district.


India    26-Mar-1986

Around 15,000 workers of the radical Sikh groups march into the Shiromani Akali Dal conference to protest the arrest of United Akali Dal leader, Mohkam Singh. Five killed and 18 injured in police firing. Several vehicles and tents set ablaze.


India    28-Mar-1986

Around 14 persons including eight RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) workers shot dead and several injured by five terrorists dressed in police uniforms and riding a motorcycle and a scooter in Ludhiana district. Most of the casualties occurred at the Daresi ground. This is the first major attack on the RSS workers in several years.


India    29-Mar-1986

Bandh call given by AISSF (Manjit) in Punjab to protest the sentence awarded to the assassins of PM Indira Gandhi receives partial response.


India    13-Apr-1986

United Akali Dal, AISSF and Damdami Taksal organize a Sarbat Khalsa, where several resolutions are passed. These include continuing the struggle against the central government, an appeal to Sikhs to gherao Akali MLAs and force them to resign, and declaring that the Jathedar of Akal Takht would only be appointed by Sarbat Khalsa.


India    29-Apr-1986

The ‘Panthic Committee’, proclaims the independence of “Khalistan” from the Golden Temple complex and urges other nation-states to recognize the government of “Khalistan”. They also ask Sikhs living abroad to migrate to “Khalistan”.


India    30-Apr-1986

Police enter the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar and arrest around 300 persons including the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Gurdev Singh.


India    04-Jun-1986

Shiromani Akali Dal (Dissident group), Damdami Taksal, and AISSF (Manjit) organize a Shaheedi conference. Resolutions are passed demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala and his expulsion from Shiromani Akali Dal. Panthic Committee appoints Gurbachan Singh Manochahal as the Jathedar of Akal Takht in absence of Gurdev Singh, who is under detention.


India    04-Jun-1986

AISSF workers attack a police Task Force which enters the Golden Temple complex.


India    05-Jul-1986

In a delegate session at Keshgarh Sahib in Rupnagar district, Parkash Singh Badal elected as the President of Shiromani Akali Dal (dissident group), and he condemns the entry of police in the Golden Temple complex.


India    20-Sep-1986

AISSF (Manjit), a faction of the AISSF – a Sikh radical organization, resolves to continue the struggle in collaboration with Damdami Taksal for the creation of Khalsa Raj.


India    03-Oct-1986

Six jeep-borne terrorists attack DGP Julio Francis Ribeiro at the heavily protected Punjab Armed Police (PAP) Headquarters at Sher Shah Suri Marg in Jalandhar Cantonment. Ribeiro escapes unharmed but his wife, Melba is injured.


India    24-Oct-1986

The Istari wing of AISSF announces the formation of a Mai Bhago Regiment to avenge the killing of Sikh youth.


India    01-Nov-1986

Sarbat Khalsa called by Gurbachan Singh Manochahal in front of Akal Takht.


India    30-Nov-1986

At least 22 Hindu passengers aboard a bus pulled out and shot dead at Khudda in Hoshiarpur in Punjab.


India    01-Dec-1986

After his removal from the the Panthic Committee, Aroor Singh organizes splinter groups like Mai Bhago Tat Khalsa, Khalistan Armed Police and Dashmesh Regiment under the banner of AISSF (Manjit Singh). Gurjit Singh of AISSF announces the expulsion of Harminder Singh Sandhu, Rajinder Singh Mehta, Amarjit Singh Chawla, Harinder Kahlon, Virsa Singh Valtoha from the organization.


India    02-Dec-1986

Gurcharan Singh Tohra detained under National Security Act.