AMRITSAR: The family members of Balkar Singh, a Congress Municipal Commissioner of Tam Taran, who was allegedly abducted by a local police party on May 8, 1993, are still waiting for their only bread winner. Jasbir Kaur, wife of Balkar Singh, alleged that her husband had become a victim of political rivalry between two Congress leaders, Sukhdev Singh Shehbajpuri, MLA and former minister Master Jagir Singh. She said that her husband was a close confidante of Shehbajpuri. In an affidavit sent to director general of police, she has accused Master Jagir Singh of abducting her husband. Jasbir Kaur said that her husband was abducted in daylight from Raj Bakery in Muradpura locality near Tam Taran by a police party headed by Dilbagh Singh, then SP (city). She said Balkar Singh was brutally beaten up outside the bakery where he fell unconscious. His whereabouts are still not known.
Jagdish Kumar, another Congress councilor from ward No. 5, said that they had never heard about Balkar Singh having militant connections although his name had figured as a suspect in the murder of a Harijan, Jagtar Singh Jaggi. However, no case had been registered because a compromise was reached between the two parties. Jagdish Kumar said that the local Congress councilor had met the then SSP Ajit Singh Sandhu but he had denied that Balkar Singh was picked up by the police. Although all the councilors had met former CM Beant Singh but a formal inquiry had not been ordered.
Balbir Singh, a cousin of Balkar Singh, said that Master Jagir Singh had opposed Balkar Singh during the municipal committee elections. He said that Balkar Singh had been opposing Alwinder Pal Singh, sarpanch of Pakkhoke village, who was in Jagir Singh’s camp. Balbir Singh said that the police had openly interfered in the MC elections and alleged that when they met Sandhu, he had clearly told them that Balkar Singh would not be let off if Shehabajpuri approached him for his release. Balkar Singh was also presidegyg of FCI Mazdor Union of Tam Taran, he said. Balbir Singh said the police had not even registered a missing person case. He said that Master Jagir Singh had threatened to harm BalkarSingh. Balkar Singh’s wife is now living with Balbir Singh in Amritsar, She said that she had two daughters and a son who were unable to continue their education because of financial constraints. MasterJagir Singh and SSP Tam Taran were not available for their comments.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 18, 1996
