Hoshiarpur, Punjab (December 29, 2012): Contesting the claims made by Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini linking the arrest of Daljit Singh with so-called revival of terrorism in Punjab, the Dal Khalsa called it bluff and untrue.
Party head H S Dhami said the detention of Daljit Singh time and again was clearly on the ground that state’s political as well as police leadership has grudges against the former militant because of his past (militant) actions. “Those who are at helm of affairs at political as well as police level be it in state or centre, doesn’t want to see former militants joining and giving politics a try to further their cause”.
He condemned the police force for humiliating and inflicting torture on Daljit and his colleague SGPC member Kulbir Singh Barapind during investigation. He asked the DGP to be sensitive and fair and stop witch-hunting. He said the DGP was raising the bogey of terrorism only to “cover-up” the failures of his department in maintaining the rule of law in the state.
Detesting another claim by the DGP that marches organized by radical groups in the month of March-April were aimed at disturbing peace of the state, he said cutting across party lines, youth hit the streets to save Balwant Singh Rajoana from gallows at the call of Jathedar, Akal Takht and Panthic groups.
He said the DGP has reiterated that during militancy period 1784 cops had lost their lives, which was very unfortunate because many were targeted just because they were wearing uniform. However, Dhami wondered why the DGP had not revealed how many citizens- that include sympathizers of movement, relatives of militants, human rights activists, lawyers, and ordinary men and women unconnected with the movement lost their lives in the hands of Punjab cops during those 10 years. The DGP must also tell the numbers of slain militants that were killed by security forces in real and stage managed encounters.
“All members of my group join me in mourning the demise of 23 year old woman, who was gang-raped in Delhi”, said Dal Khalsa leader. He demanded that culprits should be handed exemplary punishment so that no one could dare to think of doing such ghastly and barbaric act against woman in future.
“We are also deeply moved by another shameful incident of rape of Patiala girl, who committed suicide because of inaction of the local police against the rapists and express our grief and condolences to her family members”.