AMRITSAR, India: Sikh upsurge against their increasing suppression and persecution by the Army and Para-military forces is gaining momentum and wider support, according to Associated Press Correspondent, Mr. Brahma Chellaney’s reports extracts’ from which are reproduced below:
Indian Army’s bloody attack two years ago on the Golden Temple to crush Sikh militancy has proved counterproductive. Today government security forces are back in the Temple, Punjab State is in turmoil and resurgence in escalating.
The workings of the Indian government in areas of Punjab are ‘on the brink of collapse, and thousands of Hindus are fleeing the Sikh-dominated countryside.
A better-organized Sikh campaign has left nearly 200 people dead in two months. Commandos and police bodyguards protect Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, top leaders of his governing Congress Party and Sikh moderates.
‘When the army stormed Maritsa’s Golden Temple, the government proclaimed it had broken the back of Sikh radicalism.
In fact, the bitterness that the raid triggered in the 13-million member Sikh community helped spur a resurgence of a more sophisticated campaign.
Until the assault, the Sikh struggle was generally confined to the Temple Complex. Today they are scattered across Punjab, in northern India. Security forces are unable to find their sanctuaries because villagers refuse to cooperate partly out of sympathy and partly out of the fear of reprisals.
The commandant of a Para-military unit at Tarn Taran, south of Amritsar said his troops had conducted 50 to 60 raids in recent weeks, but each time they found ‘no militants or weapons because it appeared the activists had been tipped off.
Two years ago, few Sikhs were willing to speak out for the formation of Khalistan the name the secessionists have given there would be Sikh homeland. Now, several underground groups are campaigning for Khalistan, and Punjabis in restaurants and trains openly discuss independence from India.
The country’s top Sikh fugitive Manbir Singh, said his Khalistan Commando Force guerrilla group is recruiting an army to battle the Indian military and fight for Punjab’s secession from India. Smaller guerilla groups seek the same goal.
“Our mission is to fight and die for Khalistan,” said Manbir Singh, who at the age of 29 already is recognized as the foremost militant leader.
“Unless we fight for Khalistan, how will we be able to establish it or even get support from foreign countries?” he added in a recent interview.
At night, Punjab becomes a virtual ghost state, with restaurants and movie theaters closed, streets deserted and rifle-toting troops on patrol. Even police officers are afraid to venture out without body guards.
Authorities say thousands of Hindus fled their village homes in Amritsar and Gurdaspur district in May.
Hindus, though the majority throughout India, area minority in the Punjab. Sikhs make up 58 percent of the State’s population.
In many villages and towns Hindu men have started wearing Sikh-style beards and turbans to avoid becoming victims.
The Sikh religion forbids male members to cut their beards or hair, which they wear wrapped up in turbans.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 30, 1986
