BEHLA (TARN TARAN): The security forces thwarted the move of the six Panthic organizations to hold a convention here to protest the killing of six villagers in an encounter on June 9.

Over a dozen Akali leaders were arrested and a large number of leaders proceeding towards the Behla village were forced back.

The six Panthic organizations had given a call to hold a protest convention against the killing of six “innocent” villagers in the Behla encounter, Of the eight killed in the encounter inside the militants hideout at Behla, the relatives of the six villagers alleged that they were used as shields by the security forces but police claimed that all the eight persons were hardcore militants belonging to the Bhindranwale Tiger-force of Khalistan (Manochahal).

Among those arrested while proceeding towards Behla were Bhai Manjit Singh president ail India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), Sucha Singh Chhotepur general secretary Akali Dal (Mann), Baljinder Singh Gandiwind vice president Sikh Students Federation (Mehta Chawla) and over two dozen other Akali leaders.

The security forces were deployed on all the roads leading to Behla and no one was permitted to get into the village. People were frisked at nakas on their way to Behla. Even the pressmen and photographers were thoroughly searched and their identity cards checked before they were permitted to proceed to Behla.

However, there was nothing to suggest that a convention was to be held here. Behla has a population of over 1,200, but except the female members no one was found in the village.

The males have left the village to avoid any unpleasant situation because they had already witnessed enough of firing and killings during the 28-hour long counter.

A village elder said that the security forces searched each and every house in the village. Only 35 male members found from there. They were huddled into one corner of the village. They were thoroughly screened and the senior police officer warmed them not to take part in any convention being organized by the six Panthic organizations.

The village elder said the police warned them that they would face dire consequences in case any of them tried to prepare the stage or organize the convention. Except Gurmait Singh (70), uncle of Sarjit Singh Behla, (deputy of BTFK) all were allowed to go,

The village elder said they were so scared after having witnessed firing for such a long duration during the encounter that the male members thought it was better to leave the village for a few days. They have gone to stay with their relatives and would be back within the next two to three days.

He said many of the villagers had left after locking their houses. The security forces broke their locks to search the houses for any Akali Dal leader taking shelter or hiding inside,

A police chowki has been opened in the village. The village was surrounded by heavy police and security forces,

Charanjit Singh Walia, general secretary Akali Dal (Mann) who had come from Patiala along with   party workers, Bhai Iqbal Singh, Amritsar district Akali Dal {Mann) president, Mohan Singh Manian, Amritsar district Akali Dal (Mann) president, and Jasbir Singh Chabal, district president Babbar Akali Dal rural, Amritsar, claimed they were not allowed to proceed on their way 1o Behla.

Walia strongly condemned the state government for not allowing them to hold the convention and dubbed this move as “undemocratic” and an “infringement” on the democratic and fundamental rights of the people of Punjab, All the detained leaders of the six Panthic organizations, including Akali Dal (Mann) president Simranjit Singh Mann, were released by the Tarn Taran police. Talking to reporters, Akali Dal (Mann) general secretary Bhai Ram Singh, who was also detained along with Mann, was asked to comment on the protest by certain villagers against them who were outside the rest house where they were detained at Valtoha, He said   was part of the deep-rooted conspiracy. He accused Tarn Taran police Chief Ajit Singh of this “mischief.” saying policemen from various parts of the district were brought to the sight of their confinement and ordered to indulge in such kind of behavior.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 10, 1994