Travelling through the countryside in Punjab drives home one unmistakable fact Sikh freedom fighters are not terrorists but highly respected and loved young boys whose visits are looked forward to by the farmers and their families. There is not a single village where a warm welcome and a hot meal do not await the brave youths who have given their lives to keep the honor of the Panth.
We in western countries fed largely on the propaganda and disinformation set out by the Indian government never hear of the heroism and selflessness of young boys who should in all fairness is in schools being looked after by us and not carrying guns for our honor. But life is not fair. Every day somewhere in Punjab 10-15 teenaged Sikhs lay down their lives so that the rest of us can hold on to our hopes of liberty and a dignified life.
There is chaos and utter lawlessness in Punjab-young girls are abducted and raped small children kidnapped for ransom extortion is rampant and there is no security of life. The government says it will put down terrorism with a firm hand it would do better to cut off that hand and even its tongue.
In Moonak village of Sangrur district a Sikh child was kidnapped by terrorists and a ransom of Rs 2 lakh (about $10000) demanded for his safe return. Some freedom fighters then in the area heard of this and told the family not to worry. It was set up that the terrorists were to collect the ransom from the elders of the family waiting on the terrace. The kidnappers walked into the trap and were shot dead. It turned out that the terrorists were a local bank manager and the Station House Officer of the police station. The child was found in the SHOs house.
The Govt has established a gang of hardened criminals it calls Black Cats whose sole aim is to commit crimes in the name of militant organisations so as to defame them. Cats have been known to infiltrate ranks of militants and do great damage from within also. The village folk dread the police and the Cats but their homes and hearts are open to the freedom fighters.
We had the good fortune to talk to some of the freedom fighters. One we shall not name was not more than 16 years of age but his maturity and courage was incredible I have but once to live. There could be no greater honor for me than to give this life for my faith. I know that I will not survive for more than a few months at most. I may even die today. There are thousands like me. Can you believe that we could stoop of commit petty crimes in our last days on earth? With what face will I meet my Maker?”
We were deeply moved by the noble youth’s courage and cheerfulness. He may soon be dead but his life would have been a glorious success.
The Indian government has a stranglehold on the media which if uses to the utmost as an anti-Sikh propaganda tool. Surinder Singh of Heran village was shot dead by the police A note was left near the body which claimed that he had been killed by the Budh singh wala faction of the Khalistan Commando Force. There had been witnesses to the crime but the media duly reported the police version of the story only. The militants reached the village and offered to help the family in whatever way they could. You can judge from this incident and hundreds of similar cases misreported or not reported at all who are the bad guys and who are the good guys. The militants have no means to correct these falsehoods or even to get their messages across to the people at large especially outside Punjab.
We heard several stories of heroic deeds in every village we visited. The confidence of the villagers that Khalistan would soon be a reality chased many nagging doubts from our sophisticated and educated minds.
Amar Singh
Article extracted from this publication >> March 22, 1991
