Punjab Human Rights Organization
Head Office: H.No, 22, Sector 2, Chandigarh Tel. : 28162
Dated 11.6.1991
PRESS STATEMENT
A three member party of Punjab Human rights Organization (PHRO) consisting of Justice Ajit Singh Bains (Retd)., Major General Narinder Singh (Retd), and S. Jaspal Singh was travelling in a Muruti Cor Belonging to S. Jaspal Singh to Amritsar on 5th June, 1990 to witness the Bhog Ceremoney to be held at Shri Akal Takhat Sahib, Amritsar on the 6th anniversary of Operation Blue Star to pay homage to martyrs around 3.30 pm. the — was signaled to stop at the Daburji Police Barrier about 5 kms short of Amritsar after inquiring about the antecedents of the party and being told that its purpose was to pay homage at Sh. Harmandir Sahib, the police authorities after consultation with the superiors informed the party that they were being detained. No grounds for detention either orally or in writing were disclosed to the party. The party was driven to Sardar police station Amritsar under escort. After a stay of about one hour the party was taken to police station Gharinda from where is was eventually shifted to Punjab Tourism Department Rest House at Wagha Border at about 9 pm on 5 June 1990. The party was kept there till 6.30 pm 8 June 1990 when an assistant Sub-Inspector of Punjab police from Sadar police Station Came and informed the party that they had been discharged by the court and were free to go. The party left at 6.45 pm. and on its way back met Prof. Balginder Sigh.
General Secretary PHRO and another activist of PHRO Ss. V.P. Singh Bhetia, advocate. The party was surprised to learn that a FIR had been lodged against them for shouting slogans as given in the extract of the FIR which Sardar Bhatia had been able to procure (copy attached).
It may again be reiterated that at no stage was the party informed orally or an writing regarding grounds of detention and that an FIR had been registered against them. It may also be mentioned that the party was unarmed and the car and their belongings were searched and nothing incriminating was found.
Since wholly false accusations have been made against the party in the FIR, it is necessary to recount the whole incident in some detail to unmask the extent to which the police went in this case and which “is symptomatic of their general approach in all cases.
At the paburji the party was signaled to stop which it promptly did One Sub-Inspector and a head constable of Punjab Police inquired as to where the party had come from and where it was going. He was informed that the party was going to the Golden Temple to pay homage on further inquiry Maj. Gen. Narinder Singh gave the names of the party. At this point Justice A.S. Bains who was sitting in the rear seat came out of the car and told the sub-inspector that all? What the police was doing was illegal as there was no curfew imposed not was there any restrictions imposed by the state government on entry into Amritsar. Justice Bains further asked under what law were the police stopping the public moving on this trunk road and harassing them unnecessarily. The sub-inspector was visibly surprised and annoyed that the party had dared to exercise their democratic right to inquire on what grounds it had been stopped and searched. Maj. Gen. Narinder Singh told the Sub-Inspector that if it was the intention of the government to prevent people entry into the Golden Temple to participate in the Bhog ceremony, it should have made on announcement to this effect.
In may be mentioned here that the impression given by the State Govt. upto this time as reflected in the newspapers and is evident from the Governor’s message, was against entry of arms in the Golden Temple put no restrictions for peaceful participation in the bhog ceremony.
While this conversation was going on and inspector of Punjab police (later learnt to be Kashmira Singh Station House officer Police station Sadar Amritsar) came on the scene. He took down particulars of the party and went away to consult a DSP present there after consulting the DSP and higher authorities on wireless he came and informed the party they were being detained. No grounds for detention was mentioned. This is all the conversation and what happened at the barrier before the party was driven away under escort for detention as mentioned earlier. No repeat NO slogan was shouted by the party either at the Darrier or during their entire period of detention. It may also be mentioned that Sub-Inspector Bhagwan Dass police station Sader, Amritsar was not present en the scene and nor did the party see him at any stage. The FIR is totally fabricated and false.
It is for the press end public at large to appreciate that if such total likes can be fabricated against a party consisting of the retire judge of the High Court and retired may Maj. Gen. what would be the lot of common people.
JUSTICE A.S. BAINS. MAJ GEN. NARINDER SINGH JASPAL SINGH.
