AMRITSAR, INDIA: Three acting Sikh High Priests appointed by militants have said, “The problem in Punjab was of political nature and only the council of Khalistan was authorized to talk to the government to bring about the solution to the existing problems in the state. Gur.bachan Singh Manochal, acting Akal Takht Jathedar, Nirvir Singh, Acting Jathedar of Takht Dam Dama Sahib, and Darshan Singh Maliwal, acting head priest of Akal Takht; clarified in their joint statement that the Council was working under the direction of five member Panthic Committee. The press release issued on Sunday at the Golden Temple by Nirvir Singh and Jagir Singh also refuted the charge that money was being exhorted from the common man by the militants lodged inside the temple. Nor the devotees are being harassed or killed inside, they said. This is being propagated by certain quarters only to defame the temple, create panic in the minds of common man and find an excuse for another police entry into the temple. The press release strongly lashed out at Darshan Singh, S.G.P.C., appointed Jathedar of the Akal Takht for entering into a conspiracy with the government in order to defame the militants inside the temple. It criticized at the recent press note issued by Babar Khalsa, another militant group saying has been issued at the behest of Mr. Darshan Singh. Both Jagir Singh and Nirvir Singh clarified that Babar Khalsa group was not present inside the temple and they did not have any contact with them. They did not reply when asked if the Babar Khalsa came under command of Panthic Committee but maintained that all the militant groups were united. The press note went on to warn the general masses to beware of the mischievous propaganda being spread by the government about the Golden Temple. They directed the militants not to form any new organizations but to strengthen the already existing groups in the struggle for Khalistan.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 26, 1988
