NEW DELHI, Reuter: Gunmen killed three Hind us in a village in Punjab despite increased security following the assassination of a retired army general on Sunday, police spokesman said today.
The spokesman in Punjab capital, Chandigarh, told Reuters that the gunmen opened fire on a house in Amritsar district last night, killing a man, his wife and his brother.
He said freedom fighters fighting for an independent Sikh nation in northern India are responsible for the incident which raised the death toll in Punjab this year to about 460.
The attack occurred as police increased security ahead of a threat ended protest by hardline Sikhs on Indian Independence Day which will be observed on Friday.
Prakash Singh Badal, leader of a dissident Akali group, and a for mar Chief Minister of Punjab, said in early august the protest would focus attention on Sikh problems. Badal urged Sikhs to stop work on that day and offer prayers.
Badal was arrested on Saturday with another Sikh leader, G.S. Tohra, as they tried to visit a violence torn area of New Delhi Badal is still in custody and his supporters have threatened to protest if the two are not freed by August 20.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 15, 1986
