BABABAKALA: Tens of thousands of people braved the heat to attend the bhog ceremony of Bhai Bikran jit Singh a Lt Gen of the Khalistan Commando Force who was killed in a recent “encounter” with the police.

According to Indian media there was little doubt that the attendance at the religious ceremony at Kamoke near here was out of sympathy for the slain leader and the cause he espoused.

About 100,000 people arrived before dawn in tractor trolleys and on foot from nearby villages. Many more came later. Young girls were seen waiting for hours in the 104 degree heat for a turn to pay. Obeisance and place their offerings before the Guru Granth Sahib and the slain leaders photograph. CHANDIGARH: A sudden emergence of the support in the manner in which the late Bhai Jugraj Singh conducted his militant campaign in Hargobindpur area and Bhai Bikramjit Singh in Rayya area jolted not only the police but also the militant organizations in Punjab.

Bhai Jugraj Singh’s bhog ceremony attracted lakhs of people and a similar trend was noticed at Bikranjit Singh’s village Kamoke. Police authorities publicly maintain that the public response to these last rites were due to militant pressure. They are in however worried and want the “evil nipped in the bud” suggesting by implication that such crowds should be fired upon as was being done in Kashmir recently, At the political level there was confusion and Delhi appears to be leaving the matter in police discretion.

Militant groups are learning to adopt the methods used by these two youths who have become legends. The Panthic Committee headed by Dr. Sohan Singh and the 4 militant organizations in their recent public utterances maintained a stance similar to that of the slain heroes. In public statements and advertisements the militant groups emphasize the need for various segments of Punjabis apart from Sikhs to lend their cooperation to the cause of Khalistan. They assured Hindus that their salvation lay in helping the formation of an independent nation where all would get equal and fair treatment. This approach paid rich dividends when all of Punjab irrespective of religious affiliations responded to the June 7 strike call to protest police atrocities and the recall of central forces from Punjab.

So complete was the bandh that the govt spokesman said the public response was impressive in the state. Panthic Committee and the 4 militant groups were delighted. They said the success of the bandh was another step towards the realization of Khalistan. They asked the Akali leaders to retire if they feared that the govt should hold talks with militants. They deplored extortions and kidnappings and said certain groups were indulging in such detrimental activities despite denials by them.

They asked Sikhs to stay away from such people who did not follow Gurbani.

The Panthic panel took the opportunity to plead that Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale be declared a martyr and Baba Thakhar Singh be persuaded to become the head of the Damdami Taksal.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 15, 1990