AMRITSAR, Punjab, Indi how ordinary criminals and antisocial elements in the name of freedom fighters are looting and extorting money was revealed with the arrest of two persons in Ajnala on February 26.
The two who had tried to extort money from a family are now cooling their heels in the police lockup. This case was brought to light by veteran CPI leader Satyapal Dang.
Narrating the details of the incident, Mr. Dang said that the family of Mr. Satwant Singh living in a village under Ajnala police station was approached by some armed persons on February 5. They demanded Rs, 50,000 and said if the demand was not met, the family would be liquidated, they said they were members of a group led by Karaj Singh Thande of the “Khalistan Commando Force.”
When members of the family offered that the money would be paid inside the Golden Temple Complex they insisted on the amount being paid to them at the house. They agreed to come on later to collect the money.
The armed miscreants turned up on February 26 and demanded the money; they insisted that Rs. 10,000 should be paid as the first installment.
In the meantime, some informed the security forces which arrested the miscreants. On interrogation they are reported to have said that they were not connected with any freedom fighting organization but were ordinary criminals indulging in money extortion in the name of freedom fighters.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 18, 1988
