WSN Service
PANJWAD AMRITSAR: The police in a brazen show of force frustrated the efforts of the relations and other people to perform last rites in accordance with Sikh tradition in the memory of the slain militant Bhai Barjinder Singh Panjwad Bhai Sarbjit Singh Panjwad and Bhai Tarlochan Singh last week.
Bhai Barjinder Singh was Vice President of Sikh Students Federation associated with Bhai Bittu group.
The security forces took up positions on all ways leading to Panjwad village. Even a party of journalists was not allowed to move forward.
Several leaders of Akali Dals and others who wanted to join the program could not reach there as most of them were detained and were humiliated.
Among those who wanted to reach the village were S$.G.P.C. chief Baldev Singh Sibia Mann Dal General Secretary Ranjit Singh Brahampura and Jathedar Kartar Singh Narang of Akali Dal Babbar.
Bhai Narang and Bhai Barjinder Singh alleged that the police took off their turbans tied them behind their backs and took them to the police station. On way Bhai Narang was beaten up by the police
Bhai Barjinder Singh Panjwads father Bhai Harbhajan Singh Panjwad alleged that the security forces did not allow even his relations to participate in the Bhog ceremony. Other villagers too were prevented from joining the function His mother told newsmen that Bhai Panjwad was actually picked up by the police from the residence of Massa Singh Prajapat. He was so much tortured that his neck was broken Later the police showed Bhai Panjwad dead in an encounter.
So scared is the Govt of India about the Sikh last rites that ne such function in memory of the dead militants is allowed in Punjab nor any gurdwara in memory of them is permitted to be built by the public.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 9, 1991
