Operation Woodrose
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Operation Woodrose was a military operation carried out by the Indira Gandhi-led Indian government in the months after Operation Blue Star to "prevent the outbreak of widespread public protest" in the state of Punjab.[1] The government arrested all prominent members of the largest Sikh political party, the Akali Dal, and banned the All India Sikh Students Federation, a large students' union.[1] In addition, the Indian Army conducted operations in the countryside during which thousands of Sikhs, overwhelmingly young men, were detained for interrogation and subsequently tortured.[1] Despite its purported success in controlling the armed insurgency in the Punjab region, the operation was criticized by human-rights groups for the suspension of civil liberties and habeas corpus, resulting in the disappearances of thousands of Sikh men. After the operation, the central government was criticized for using "draconian legislation" to repress a minority community.[1]
Operation Woodrose | |||||||
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Part of the Khalistan movement & Insurgency in Punjab | |||||||
State of Punjab shown in red | |||||||
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Casualties and losses | |||||||
More than 8,000 Sikh civilians reported killed or missing;[2][4] true number unknown[4] |