LUDHIANA: The SGPC may procure two bulletproof cars for its president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, and secretary, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta.
The procurement of the cars was on the agenda of the SGPC executive meeting recently in Chandigarh.
Mr Tohra survived an attempt on his life when militants attacked him near Sahnewal on May 13. Mr Hardyal Singh Rajala, a former MLA and member, SGPC, and Mr Sardul Singh, driver of Mr Tohra, were killed in the attack. Mr Tohra remained in Oswal Hospital here for about two months after the murderous assault on him.
Mr Tohra has since been provided adequate security by the Punjab Government.
Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta is also provided adequate security cover by the state administration.
Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta had earlier asked the Punjab Government for providing him with a bulletproof car when Mr. SS. Ray was chef Governor of Punjab. Mr Ray and Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta were close friends and Mr Ray used to brag “we have the best relations with the SGPC.”
Mr Manjit Singh, is according to technical terms, an employee of the SGPC although he does not take any salary.
But sources close to the SGPC say that the monthly expenditure of Mr Manjit Singh is more than Rs 25,000. They say that his telephone bill alone runs into thousands of rupees and food to the security personnel is provided by the SGPC. The executive may oppose the purchase of the cars.
Twelve members of the SGPC have been slain in the state so far. The SGPC has not paid any financial help to the families of these members except Mr Rajala and. Mr Sardul Singh. Their families have been given Rs 1 lakh each.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 9, 1990
