CHANDIGARH: With the kidnapping of the brother of the SSP of Sangrur from Ferozepur district Aug.22 the number of persons being held by the militants has risen to seven. The police fear these kidnappings are part of an attempt to mount pressure on them to release Madha Singh a hardcore militant.

The Babbar Khalsa considered the most powerful militant group in the state has been seeking the release of Madha Singh who is currently in the custody of the Maharashtra police. Madha Singh allegedly masterminded the abortive attempt to kidnap the daughter of the Union home minister S.B.Chavan

Though the Punjab police have been resisting the demand there are unofficial reports that a few officials have been trying to strike bargains with the militants to secure the release of their kidnapped relatives. A top Punjab government official for example has been trying to establish contact with the militants through some Akali men.

In the last three weeks the Babbar Khalsa kidnapped the cousin the Punjab police chief the home secretary’s nephew two brothers of an additional police commissioner in Bombay 4 brother of a Maharashtra cadre DIG and the brother of the SSP of Majitha police district apart from last night’s abduction of the Sangrur SSPs brother.

A senior police official who sought anonymity said the police feared more such kidnappings in the near future. He said that though there was a feeling of concern in administrative circles the issue had barely figured at top level meetings. At the same time a section of top police officials here feels that the government should not yield to the militant’s pressure.

The Punjab police have been picking up relatives of the militants concemed as a counter meager The state government has also made compromises Two examples are the release of a top Khalistan Commando Force militant Rajwinder Singh Bhola who was brought from Uttar Pradesh and released in exchange for a Congress Rajya Sabha member’s grandson and the release of the top Babbar Khalsa militant Dharam Singh Kashtiwal in exchange for the nephew of a senior BSF official.

Article extracted from this publication >> August 30, 1991