LUDHIANA: The Chief General of the Bhindranwale Tigers Force of Khalistan Bhai Rachhpal Singh Chhandran and Deputy General Bhai Jagdish Singh Disha were murdered by the Indian police in a fake encounter at Lohara in Dist. Ludhiana on June 12, 1992.

The body of Bhai Chhandran was claimed by S.G.P.C. Chief S. Gurcharan Singh Tohra along with hundreds of other followers who had accompanied him to the police station.

Later the ashes of the slain Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan members Bhai Rachhpal Singh Chhandran and Bhai Jagdish Singh Disha were taken in a huge procession for immersion in the Sutlej at Kiratpur Sahib in Ropar district.

The ashes were kept in two ums on a four-wheeler tempo on the side of which banners of “amar rahe” or “long live” were put up. Theelder brother of Bhai Rachhpal Singh and the parents of Bhai Jagdish Singh accompanied the procession.

The ashes of the two militants were earlier kept in the village Gurdwara to enable the people and relatives to pay their last respects. The body of Bhai Jagdish Singh was cremated by Ludhiana police and his ashes were handed over to his father the next day since he had arrived late.

Reports said that people had put up “chhabils” of sweet cold water and langars on the route of the procession by President of the Bharti Kisan Union Ajmer Singh Lakhowal. Thekedar Surjan Singh former Minister Basant Singh Khalsa Amrik Singh Aliwal and Avtar Singh Makkar and Jarnail Singh (Akali Dal Talwandi) were among the percussionists.

World Sikh Organization. Int. President S.Didar Singh Bains; W.S.0 U.S.A. President S.Gurcharan Singh Dhillon; Khalistan Affairs Center and Panthic committee Spokesman Dr. Amarjit Singh; Sikh Youth of America President S.Gurtej Singh and Political Prisoners; Sukhminder Singh Sandhu and Ranjit Singh Gill released a special message stating their sorrow on the loss of yet two more young martyrs who have given their lives for the goal of Khalistan.

It has also been learned from a reliable source that mourners in the procession for Kauli (who was killed by police) numbered in the hundreds. The crowd many of whom were dressed in rags and bare foot reflected the great appeal Kauli had for the dissent franchised. Our source stated that the peaceful mourners nevertheless showed great anger along with their grief.

Their desire for revenge seemed evident. The people of Punjab respect their martyrs and are united against the government of India.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 26, 1992