LUDHIANA: Amandeep Kaur, a sister of Sikh activist Harpinder Singh Goldy of Pipli village in Bathinda district, underwent a harrowing experience last month at the hands of the Bathinda police headed by Senior Superintendent of Police Harkishan Singh Kahlon.
She was tortured, dishonored and maltreated in several police stations of the district along with her father, Jaswant Singh, and her husband, Jaswinder Singh Sraa, for no crime other than being the sister of the Sikh activist working for Khalistan.
Harpinder Singh Goldy, 18, following harassment by the police, had left his studies in class 10+ 1 to join the Khalistan movement in August 1991. The police suspected Goldys hand in the reported abduction of six traders of Phul recently and sought to put pressure on him to release hem, Evidently, the treatment meeted out to Amandeep Kaur is immediately linked to the suspected abduction case.
Amandeep tragic story was old in her own words, which she narrated to representatives of Punjab Human — Rights (Organization: “Jaswinder Singh Sraa son of Surjeet Singh of Jassowal village, Ludhiana district, was born and brought up in the U.K. He at present lives at 7349 Carbrett DR, Mississagua, Ontario (L4T2R6), Canada, Phone No. 416-677-2034. He came to India on October 12,1991 for marriage on October 24, we along with my father Jaswant Singh, village headman Bhag Singh and member panchayat Meet Singh went to the office of sub registrar, Rampura Phul, for registration of the marriage. As we came out of the courtroom, the S.H.O., Phul, picked up three of us, me ,my husband and my father. We were taken to Phul police station where S.S.P Kahlon, S.P, Detective Mohkam Singh, D.S.P. Aulakh and S.P. Operations were present. The S.S.P. on seeing us Promptly ordered that my two male relations be stripped naked in my presence, He then took out the picture of his slain son and addressing them remarked that he had taken the revenge for the murder (by dishonoring me, the sister of an underground Sikh activist). Kahilon then started abusing my husband and my father. He took hold of a lathi to beat the two. It. was then the turn of his subordinates who beat us with their leader belts .The s.s.p ordered that my husband and my father slap each other. After this cruel exercise, we were blindfolded. I was relieved of my two wedding rings, a pair of earrings and one golden chain, From my husband, the $.S.P. snatched 500 dollars, a bracelet of 3.5 tolas and his wedding ring. My father was similarly robbed of Rs 2500. I and my husband were put into our van, P.CL. 8433. We heard S.S.P. directing his staff to set our house on fire and bring the wife and younger daughter of Jaswant Singh (my mother and my sister)to the police station for similar treatment. After Kahlon left, we were brought back to the police station. While my husband and father were put in the lockup, I was Kept out for maltreatment. Early next morning, we three were taken to Sardul Garh by our van. On October 27, my mother, Surjeet Kaur, was brought to us. She told us her story of dishonor, torture and. maltreatment. She was kept in Rampura police station and at the head office of C.I.A., Bathinda.
“In our absence, the police from Rampura Phul ransacked our house and removed all our belongings. The village panchayat was not let anywhere near the house. No seizure report was prepared and handed over to the panchayat or anyone else.
“I, my husband, my mother and father were kept in Sardul Garh police station for 12 days. But my husband was removed to Phul police station on October 29. The S.S.P, was present there. He ordered my husband’s release on October 30 telling him to forget about his marriage Come and leave India immediately which he did the next day. In the meantime, the village panchayat came to know of our detention at Sardulgarh and they came there to rescue us but we were removed stealthily to Boha police station. At Boha I was not given even water for washing under S.S,Ps order. We were maltreated there (the woman was reluctant to give details of the maltreatment).
“After eight days, the three of us were removed from Boha to CLA,, Bathinda, My mother and I” were released from three walks of illegal detention. My father was kept in CLA., Bathinda and at Phul and was produced in a court in early December. A case was registered against him:“ While we were in police custody, Jaswinder Singh (resident of Morley Close, Langley, Slough, Berkshire.5L380N) who happens to be brother of my father, telephoned Director General, Police, Punjab, Karmpal Singh Gill t telephone No.753-546-840 requesting him to intervene but Gill told him that Kahlon did not listen to his advice.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 31, 1992
