CHANDIGARH: Only 19 out of seventy eight Jodhpur detainees now under Punjab government custody are considered hardcore militants remaining fifty nine are involved in ordinary crimes not connected with terrorism according to a government spokesman.
The high level committee set up under the chairmanship of Ribeiro advisor to the Governor to review the cases of detainees is understood to have scrutinized the cases of more than a dozen persons and have found them likely to be charged with petty crimes including theft and opium smuggling.
According to official sources those who have already undergone detention covering the maximum period of punishment under the charge against them will be released.
In case of murder and other crimes which are punishable for longer period than the period of detention, suits will be lodged in the courts and the cases registered.
The reviews of detainees’ cases, these sources point out confirm that a large number of persons used to take shelter in the Golden Temple complex. Under the package of Punjab announcement by Rajiv Gandhi 104 Jodhpur detainees were released on March 5th and out of remaining 84 seventy eight were brought to Punjab for follow up actions. These also include Gurcharan Singh Tohra who has been rearrested on some other charges.
BEWARE
OF ANTI SIKH
RUMORS
Article extracted from this publication >> March 17, 1989
