I, along with 13 other Singhs, including V311,6 Mottkam Singh and Bhai Nirrnal Sirilt,h, on instructions from Singh Sahibs, went to the complex 1.5.1988 to pick up the dead 1.orlies because the members. tn1 the Red Cross and the Sewa Sainiti were unwilling to go Inside. We were escorted by Mr. Jagitt Singh Bhatia, Inspector, City Kotwali,-in a van fitted with public address system. There was cease-fire from 7.30 P.M. to 10.30 P.M. We took possession of a dead body on the banks of the sarovar opposite “Karate Prashad” building. The second body was lying on the roof adjoining “ghanta ghar”. There was no fortification around. The third body was lying near Akal Takht model., the fourth body was toured at the pathway in front of Manji Sahib hall. The fifth body was lying on the road dividing Manji Sahib and sarais. This
body could not be picked up as the ceasefire time was over. We checked all the prikarma rooms. No dead body was found there. In the course of our visit we met Bhai Malkiat Singh Ajrrala, Bhai Nirvair Singh, Bhai Swain Singh Khalsa, Bhai Jagir Singh and others who told us that the Government was falsely alleging through the A.I.R. that they were firing from inside. No firing was done from inside. But if the security forces entered the prikarma area, “the militants would excel the 1984 record”. Bhai Swain Singh told us that none of the four bodies was of the militants; they were all devotees except for the armless follower of the Damdami Taksal. We were not allowed by the police to take possession of the dead bodies for cremation. There was no electric light when we went in. A few rooms were lit by candle light. The insiders told us that the authorities had cut off electric and water connections. Most of those killed tried to fetch water from the Sarovar.
We along with Singh Sahibs were arrested on the morning of 12.5.1988. From the Central jail we were directed by Singh Sahibs to proceed to Chowk Mehta to meet Baba Thakur Singh. 1 was accompanied by Bhai Mohkam Singh, Prof. Suldijinder Singh, Press Secretary of Bhai Jasbir Singh and three drivers of Singh Sahibs. We were taken out at 9 P.M. We spent a few hours in the city kotwali. As planned under an agreement on 100.1988 between Singh Sahibs and the authorities, we were sent to meet Baba Thakur Singh to seek his support to the “accord”. Raba Thakur Singh put his foot down saying that the weapons were “supplied” by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and that he had no authority to restrain insiders or to get them surrendered. We conveyed Llaba Thakur Singh’s reaction to Singh Sahibs on the morning of 15.5.1988.
On 17.5.1988, I.G. Chaman Lal and D.C. Sarbjit Singh went to Chowk Mehta and sent a messenger to call Baba Thakur Singh to the police station.- The Baba refused to go to the thana and asked the officers to come ‘to the “Guru’s House” (Gurdwara Gurdarshan Prakash) where there was no danger to them. The D.C. alone went to meet the Baba at tire gurdwara and pleaded personally for the surrender. The Taksal Chief repeated his earlier stand.
