AMRITSAR: A Sarbat Khalsa was held here by the five members Panthic Committee at Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh on April 13 despite strict measures by the police and paramilitary forces to prevent it.

It was originally scheduled to be held at the Darbar Sahib but paramilitary men effectively closed it.

The Sarbat Khalsa removed Bhai Darshan Singh as the Jathedar of the Akal Takhat and appointed Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochal as the Jathedar.

The meet denounced Bhai Darshan Singh and Bhai Jasbir Singh former Jathedars of the Akal Takhat for collaborating with the government

A spokesman of the Panthic Committee said that Sarbat KhaIsa was opposed to all factions of the Akali Dal. He asked the Akalis to cooperate with the freedom fighters or face the consequences.

The Panthic Committee appealed to all the Sikhs to boycott those who did not whole heartily support Khalistan.

Nirman Singh alias Jassa Singh and Inderjit Singh Rattangarh were inducted into the Panthic Committee. A special appeal was made for international support.

The Sarbat Khalsa warned all those involved in looting extortion, killing of innocent people in the name of freedom fighters to be ready to face the consequences or stop.

A recent evaluation by Punjab authorities said the new strategy involves around hitting back at police tortures. It said that the freedom fighters have increased in great numbers.

Photographs recovered from the freedom fighters show them target practicing with medium and light machine guns. They also have AK SU74 assault rifles which are more potent the Ak47s and fire 350 bullets per minute police say.

They also have two motors with a range of $00 yards at 45 degrees trajectory, as well as rocket launchers.

The security forces are getting more apprehensive with the news of these weapons. “Now we feel safe with our bodyguards.” But the feeling of safety would be gone ‘once the motars are put into use,” a police officer said.

The person firing the mortar does not get exposed, where as those firing Ak47s have to come within 100 yards of the target, and are thus exposed to counter firing.

The leaders of various groups are also no longer allowed to lead missions which have been delegated to lower ranks thereby increasingly the safety and security of the groups.

The deaths of the leaders had caused the breaking up of groups in the past.

Article extracted from this publication >>  April 21, 1989