LUDHIANA: The Ludhiana police has arrested Daljit Singh Bitty, president, Sikh Students Federation (Bittu) and member of the Panthic Committee (Sohan Singh) and his close associate, Gursharan Singh, alias Gama, Bittu and Gama were the main accused in the Miller Ganj bank dacoity in which Rs 5.7 crore was looted. This ‘was the biggest ever bank robbery committed in the country.

According to Mr. Sharma, Bittu was the man behind the assassination of Gen A\S, Vaidya, the assassination of Lalit Makin and his wife, Gitanjali, daughter of President Shankar Dyal Sharma, the SSP and the SP of Patiala, Mr A.S. Brar and Mr.K.P.S. Gill re.

‘They made an attempt on the life of Mr.A’P. Mandey, former SSP of Ludhiana. Mr, Sharma disclosed that they committed about a dozen bank robberies in Punjab, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bombay and Pune.

‘The DGP explained that Gursharan singh Garna after he Ludhiana bank robbery, settled at Suara village in Ropar district in 1987. He purchased a farm and machinery for the same. Bittu joined him in 1992 and both became progressive farmers, for these years they were living in palatial farmhouse. They changed their physical identity too, first they were clean shaven and then they started having flowing beard. Dr, Sohan Singh used to live with them and Gama used to introduce him as his “mama” (material uncle).

Mr. Sharma said that since Bittu was an ideologue he was in Pakistan till early 1992, during his stay in Pakistan they decided to boycott the 1992 elections in Punjab. Paramjit Panjwar ‘was also there in the meeting and him Tater crossed over to India. Pakistan forced the boycott on the militants.

Bittu was also instrumental in having the second Panthic Committee which was headed by Dr. Sohan Singh. This committee comprised of Babbar Khalsa International, the KCF, the ISYF, the KLF and the Sikh Students Federation (Bittu).

‘The DGP revealed that Bittu distributed Rs 10 crore among various militant outfits for carrying out operations and during the 10 years of. Action he also distributed 1,000 assault rifles to various factions of militants. He got money from Pakistan, the UK, the USA and Canada.

Mr. Shashi Kant, DIG, Ludhiana Range, and Mr, Anil Kumar Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police, were also present at the press conference.

According to the SSP, Bittu along with Dr, Sohan Singh visited Punjab in 1992 and called a meeting of the militants in Amritsar where a final decision of boycotting elections was taken.

Bittu did his matriculation from Sacred Heart Convent School, Ludhiana, and was doing B.S.c’at PAU, Ludhiana, when he joined the movement.

Mr.Anil Kumar said that Bittu and Gama were living at the farm as Sukhjit Singh and Jagjit Singh. Gama had his two sons and wife at the farm house.

Gama also procured a loan from the bank for the purchase of farm machinery. His farm is spread in an area 0f 60 acres.

Bittu was also involved in the killing of 13 RSS workers in Daresi Ground, Ludhiana.

Mr.S.K. Garg, duty magistrate last week remanded Daljit Bittu, president, the Sikh Students Federation (Bittu) and his close associate ‘Gursharan Singh Gama in police custody till April 14. They were arrested under the Arms Act vide FIR no 95 of April 11 and also proclaimed offenders in some earlier cases.

Mr. Kuldip Singh Grewal and Mr. Rajesh Verma, who appeared for Bittu and Gama, opposed the police remand on the plea that these were old cases and there was no need for police remand.

‘Game made a statement in the court that his wife Ranjit Kaurand two sons were also taken in custody by the police and their safety should be ensured.

Article extracted from this publication >>  April 17, 1996