The Punjab Minister of State for local self-government, Mr. Mohinder Singh Saianwala has alleged that two boys, Satpal Singh and Sukhminder Singh of village Rawle were killed by the security forces in a fake encounter on July 11th near Ferozepur and has demanded an independent enquiry into the incident. The minister stated in a signed statement before he left for Ferozepur last morning to assess the situation. There is panic in the whole area and I will be bound by the public opinion, the statement said, Ministers statement is likely to put the Chief Minister, Mr. Sujit Singh Barnala in a difficult situation as it contradicts the police version. The government had stated that the two were killed when they made an attempt on the life of a superintendent of police, Mr. Harbhajan Chaudhary on the Ferozepur Mallanwale Canal Road in Faridkot District. The government had stated that the two had lobbed a hand grenade on the jeep breaking the ‘wind shield and injuring the driver. The two were killed by the security guards and the S.P. who was unhurt in the attack. Police had said that both were brothers of hard core terrorist, Mr, Harbhajan ‘Singh Mund, who had been killed earlier in an encounter at Amritsar. Mr, Saianwala has alleged that the two boys aged 15 and 17 were actually taken into custody from the residence of one Mr. Dharam Singh of village Kotla in Ferozepur District. After being arrested, they were tortured and murdered by the police in a fake encounter at Atari Bridge, he said. He has blamed the deputy commandant of the C.R.P.F and ‘demanded immediate steps to control the unrest in the area. Mr. Sainwala said that he has informed the S.S.P. and D.I.G police about the attitude of the officer but no notice taken. He has stated that on an earlier occasion he had brought a few instances of police excesses relating to Kabulwal village to the notice of Director General of police, Mr. J.S. Ribeiro.
The Punjab Revenue Minister, Mr. Uboke has also expressed his displeasure at the operation by the security forces. He left Chandigarh to visit his constituency in Amritsar District. Earlier this month another senior minister, Mr, Harbhajan Singh Sandhu aired his opinion following the death of a Ragi in village Jaura in Amritsar District. In fact there has been some tension between the security forces and some of the Ministers in Mr. Barnala’s Cabinet who charge that the security forces have gone all out with their war against the freedom fighter
Article extracted from this publication >> July 25, 1986
