KHANNA: K.P.S.Gill, Director General Punjab Police said here on Nov.14 that the government had not struck any political bargain with Dr.Sohan Singh, head of the Panthic Committee (Dr.Sohan Singh) and a top militant leader who was arrested near Mohali a few days ago.

Talking to reporters Gill said, “You mean bargain with someone who can offer something. He has nothing to offer.” Gill said that Punjab did not have any history of having a bargain. Even when, we had Operation Black Thunder,” we did not bargain. We ordered them to surrender, he said.

The state police chief said that the back of militancy had been totally broken in Punjab with the arrest of Dr.Sohan Singh.

They (militants) need an extra qualified orthopedic surgeon to perform surgery on their bones,” he asserted.

Gill said that two important events had taken place in the history of militancy in Punjab during the past few days only, First Dr.Sohan Singh was arrested and then Mokham Singh a “brain” of the Babbar Khalsa Militant outfit was arrested in Delhi.

Asked why Dr.Sohan Singh was arrested under 109 IPC and not… on serious charges of murder and other “heinous” crimes, Gill said that he was found moving about under suspicious circumstances and that policemen did not know that he is Dr.Sohan Singh. He had dyed his beard.

He added that the problem with Dr.Sohan Singh was that the type of evidence, which was essential in the court was not available, “We are investigating the matter further,” he said. Gill said that the Divali festival had passed off peacefully. It took four hours for devotees to have darshan at Harmander Sahib in Amritsar and there was great hustle and bustle all over the state, not a single incident was reported from any part of the state on the Vivali day despite the movement of 100 companies of the CRPF from Punjab.

Gill was hopeful that the people would not allow the militancy to raise it head once they start living with peace.

Earlier, Gill inaugurated the new office building of the Senior Superintendent of Police Khan Police district and a blood donation camp also.

Article extracted from this publication >>  November 19, 1993