LAFAYETTE, CA: Immigration and Naturalization Judge in San Francisco granted political asylum to Balvir Singh aka Balvir Singh Manitani of village Shahpur, district Hoshiarpur, Punjab.
Balvir Singh came to San Francisco on March 12,1992 and was placed in exclusion proceedings. He had no valid visa and/or travel documents. He was removed to Santa Rita Jail and then to Bakersfield detention facility.
On June 29,1992, his claim was heard by the Immigration Judge, Honorable Donna Marks Keener, to whom he told that he was an active worker of the All India Sikh Student Federation since 1982, Besides farming, he used to spend a good deal of his time in furthering goals of the AISSF and especially the creation of Khalistan a land of the Pure, Because of his out spoken and well known political views, he was arrested by the Punjab Police several time. On four different occasions, he was tortured, abused, beaten, his beard was cut and he was given electric shock. While in police custody, he was beaten with sticks which left a big scar on his right shoulder, and stitches on his head. At one time while he was in a solitary confinement, a police officer intentionally exposed Balvir Singh to a naked live wire which gave him a severe jolt so that he hit hard against the wall which he believes has contributed to some internal head injuries that bears on his memory.
He told the Judge that he has left his wife and three children in the custody of Almighty and is worried for them.
The court found him consistent, forth-right and truthful as to his claim for asylum and granted him the political asylum. The immigration Service government attorney waived his right of appeal and the Judge’s decision became final.
Balvir Singh was released from INS custody and is a free man now. For attorney Mohinder Singh, this was his 23rd successful case , for political asylum for Sikh in the United States of America. For further information he can be reached in 510-283-7382,
Article extracted from this publication >> July 17, 1992
