CHANDIGARH, India: Mr. J.F. Ribeiro, Director General of Punjab Police, set at rest the rumours that he was quitting as the Director General of Police and declared that he is determined to give the freedom fighters tough fight and would not let them go, Ina fight between the police and freedom fighters, the Director General stated, “My boys are very good and capable”. The Punjab Police Chief who was addressing a news conference here admitted that he has never met the situation that has prevailed in Punjab; he described as a total lie the charge that the police was killing innocent persons in Punjab. What happened on the border was not under his control as BS.F. is operating in that area. The area took orders from the Centre, There were 50 companies deployed for the general security in Punjab and 36 of them are in Gurdaspur district, He could not answer any charges against them. Mr. Ribeiro said that 249 intruders have been killed on the border from April to October. 3,563 were captured. Out of those killed only 23 were Indians including 19 Sikhs. The rest were Bangla Deshis and Pakistanis. Out of the 19 Killed on the border, ten were shot at Dera Baba Nanak. He gave the names of four others who were known smugglers. Mr. Ribeiro said that Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala had written to, the LG, BS.F, to capture the intruders, instead of killing them. He told in a reply that he concerns himself with the internal security do not ask what is going on the border.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 14, 1986
