CHANDIGARH: Violent activities in the past three months have surpassed even the preparation Blue Star Violence. In fact, violence has almost become a way of life in Gurdaspur district according to a news report in the Indian Express. The measure of success that has been achieved in apprehending the wanted freedom fighters and persuading them to surrender is reflected in the high escape rate, The escape of some of the most wanted men from the Gurdaspur Jail on Tuesday under lines the malady that is all pervasive in the law and order prevailing in the border belt.
Out of a number of men declared proclaimed offenders after Operation Blue Star, very few have surrendered in the past six months, Most of the youth is still missing. Out of 53 persons declared POW’s, as many as 20 have surrendered. They include four freedom fighters of Harshowal Village, i.e: Manohar Singh, Ranjit Singh, Avtar Singh and Joginder Singh. Fight of them carried a reward of ten thousand and Palvinder Singh and Ranjit Singh who were allegedly involved in the killing of bus passengers in Dhariwal in September, 1984. ‘Among those still absconding are Mausam Singh and his companion who were allegedly involved in a shootout at Dhariwal in May, 1985. Incidentally, he is one of the five members of the committee appointed by the Sarbat Khalsa called by Damdami Taksal and the A.I.S.S.F. to oversee the affairs of the Panth, Another accused in the case is Ranjit Singh Bawa of ‘Dyal Garh whose caped from the Gurdaspur Jail last week along with two others.
‘The other wanted persons from the district are Tarsam Singh, Gulzar Singh and Jaswant Singh Thekedar. The last named is wanted in the Seven cases including desecration of a temple.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 7, 1986
