LUDHIANA: Bhai Gurjant Singh ‘Budhisinghwala 27, chief general of Khalistan Liberation Force, was Killed at the hands of Indian security forces July 30 1992. His death Game as a big blow to the Khalistan movement.

While the Punjab police Chief K.P.S Gill claimed at a Press conference that Bhai Budhsinghwala died in an encounter with the police independent investigations by reporters showed that no such encounter took place.

Bhai Budhsingh wala had just finished his dinner and was about to go to bed. At about 10 p.m. he was “on the verandah of the house when the saw his residence being en- circled by police men. In his night Suit he rushed to the staircase and reached the first floor. He then tried to jump to the back yard in an effort to slip out of the house but found the police in the rear. He was without any weapons. He picked up brickbats and threw them at the police but-a rifle burst hit him killing him instantly.

The police claimed that it had encircled Bhai Budhsinghwala’s house on a tip off from an in- formed source. But enquires made by independent persons revealed that the K.L.F. chief’s whereabouts became known to the police through a wireless set in his possession and which he used to speak to the district police chief, one Chatapadhaya from Bengal, in connection with certain excesses committed by the force. The Khalistan leader was evidently not aware of the police capability to locate the source of the talk through the wireless Set.

Bhai Budhsinghwala was born at Budhsinghwala village in Faridkot district in 1967. The name of his father is Bhai Nachhatar Singh. His mother is Bibi Surjit Kaur.

Although Bhai Budhsingh wala was born at Budhsinghwala village in Farikot district in  1967. The name of his father is Bhai Nachhatar Singh. His mother is Bibi Surjit Kaur.

Although Bhai Budhsinghwala handled, as chief of K.L.F, cores of rupees, the condition of his

House-hold showed that he was not cut out to perform a traditional Akali politician’s role. His dedication to the cause of Khalistan was complete and total.

Bhai Budhsinghwala’s child- hood, according to his brother Jagrup Singh, was marked by his commitment to work at his family farm. He would also take pan in social and religious activities

at the local Sikh Gurdwara

Bibi Sunjit Kaur said that her son was a monument of serenity and sincerity. His traits made him popular among all militant groups despite their mutual bickering.

 Bhai Budhsinghwala was known by several names. Many called him “Navildar.” some others ad- dressed him as Jathedar while a few others named him Bhola. He spoke little as a matter of habit. He listened to others with respect. He worked in anonymity. Bhai Budhsinghwala, in short, had humility as one of his greatest traits.

While the Indian authorities held Bhai Budhsinghwala responsible for more than 1000 deaths and dubbed him as one of the most dangerous terrorists, Sikhs who came in contact with him respected. and praised him as a gentleman who would not harm any innocent individual, Militants close to him considered him a politically sensitive and an action-oriented man .Who protected Punjab’s and Sikhs’ interests in several ways.

A moving tribute to Bhai Budhsinghwala came from his close associates in the five-member panthic Committee. In a statement issued at Amritsar, the committee members said that,” it would take some time for Sikhs to correctly appreciate the unique services rendered to the community by this man. He was the most alive spirit behind the militant movement,” the committee added.

This is an excerpt of the original tribute to Bhai Budhsinghwala which appeared in WSN August 6, 1992.

Article extracted from this publication >> August 5, 1994