CHANDIGARH: While on the one hand the Haryana police have arrested 29 militants including harbors’ to counter the militancy during the past two months on the other it have urged the Center to provide it with sophisticated weapons to contain the threat.
Talking to newsmen here this Morning the Haryana Director General of Police Kalyan Rudra said the majority of those arrested belonged to the Khalistan Commando Force (Zaffarwal). Some of the militants also belonged to Haryana. He admitted that there were four major incidents at Panipat Tohana Gulha and Faggu (Sirsa) during the past two months.
He identified the militant killed in Panipat city as Nishan Singh who belonged to the Assand area of Kamal district. The remaining two had also been identified but their names were not revealed.
The police he said had initiated several measures to contain terrorism on a priority basis. While check-posts along the border with Punjab had been reduced the posts had been strengthened from Ambala to Dabwali. The object was to prevent militant violence and if these took place those responsible should not get away. There were 100 check-posts on the border.
The state police had 600 self-loading rifles (SLRs) and sought 1500 more from the Center besides some.
He claimed the police had made breakthrough in checking what had now been called “kachha baniya brigade” Eight members of this in inter-state gang headed by Rameshwa alias Gunga had been arrested and property worth Rs 6 lakh recovered. About 10 members of the gang were still at large. Twenty five cases robbery and dacoity committed Amala Yamunanagar Chandigarh Zirakpur Kalka Pinjore Panchkul Shymli Muzaffarnagar Ghaziaba had been solved. Another gang seven persons which also operated wearing only undergarments headed by Iraq Mohammad had also been smashed. In all 88 members belonging to inter-state gangs of robbery and dacoits had been arrested and cases of burglaries and robberies had been solved during the past two months.
The government would adopt liberal policy with regard to support of arms licenses to people in vulnerable areas He also promised strict action against opium smugglers Hiar and Sirsa belt.
Referring to the firing on a train near Jakhal railway station he said two persons had been arrested. The persons were travelling in a room meant for security guards.
Rudra who had been director of the Intelligence Bureau said eight militants including Dr.Sol Singh chief of the Panthic Committee were still in Pakistan.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 6, 1991
