CHANDIGARH: The increased incidence of snatching of 303 rifles from policemen, bank guards home guards and special police officers is any indication, militants are getting a firmer hold,” says K.P,S. Gill Director General of Police
One of the important reasons militants facing shortage of firearm and ammunition, he said, was the improved vigil on the international border. Arms smuggling had been greatly controlled. But still the militant organizations in the state were well equipped.
Gill confirmed that a large number of posters had appeared Gurdaspur and Batala areas through which young men were invited to join the militant organizations on a regular basis. One of the militant organizations offered a monthly salary of Rs 3,000 to each eligible youth besides arming him with a Chines assault rifle and ammunition. In each case of his getting killed, the militant organization also offered to pay a pension the next of kin, or look after the dependent children, parents and widow.
Gill refused to comment about the possibility of holding of elections in the State. “It is a political issue and I do not answer any question on ‘the subject’ he said.
Gill admitted that there had been a spurt in killings, bank robberies, and snatching in the state. Such incidents peaked last month.
According to him there were between 150 and 180 hardcore nationalists in the state. Besides, there were nearly 1,000 no hardcore militants.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 21, 1990
