With a clear case made out for “cleansing” the Golden Temple complex and rumours rife that top terrorists like Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, General Labh Singh and members of the Panthic Committee had been caught inside the complex, the bells for Government action started ringing.
It is interesting to note that men like Manochahal, Labh Singh and members of the Panthic Committee had taken a tough stand on the substantive political issues under discussion within the ranks of militants ever since Bhai Jasbir Singh’s release on March 4, 1988. This is evident from the
article written by Bhai Gurnarn Singh Baridala (see Annexure 4) This was also clear from a series of Press releases issued by the Panthic Committee and individually by General Labh Singh. Evidently, except for Bhai Gurjit Singh and a faction of the Khalistan Liberation Force, none from militant groups swung in favour of Bhai Jasbir Singh’s concept of “Puran Azadi” within or without the Indian Union. The Babbar Khalsa men were watching and waiting, not committing either in favour of or against Bhai Jasbir Singh’s “Puran Azadi”. They were, however, quite sensitive about the way a few militants and others were behaving inside the Golden Temple. The Babbars were not averse to cleansing the Temple complex a case for which had been made out by Bhai -Jasbir Singh. It was thus Bhai Gurjit Singh alone, who came over in a determined manner in favour of Bhai Jasbir Singh.
Gurjit Attacks Panthic Committee men
Since the differences between Bhai Jasbir Singh’s camp and the militants led by Panthic (7ornmittee were growing, the latter’s spokesmen, Giarti Jagir Singh and Bhai Nirvair Singh,
uncle, heavy fir” when Bhai Gurjit Singh said the two men were iiiipersonaLing themselves as spokesmen of the Panthic Committee. (Indian Express : April 26, 1988). The Panthic Committee hit back at Bhai Gurjit Singh when it not only reiterated through a statement on May 5, 1988, the demand for secession but also ()Wiled the two representatives installed inside the complex. The Panthic Committee also asked Bhai Gurjit Singh not to meddle in the affairs of the committee. (Indian Express : May 6, 1988).
The next day, i.e. May 6, General Labh Singh ironically attacked Bhai Jasbir Singh for “hobnobbing” with the Central Government. The General said that at his recent meetings with Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode and Bhai Gurjit Singh, he had observed that tlio two were toeing the “Government line” and were trying to form a Government in Punjab. Anyone trying to deviate from the set goal, General Labh Singh threatened, would be dealt with in accordance with “Sikh traditions”. (Indian Express May 7, 1988).
Under the circumstances, Bhai Jasbir Singh was left with no option except to leave the temple complex. Only Bhai Gurjit Singh was hacking him. Most other groups had turned against him. DeIlii-based is quoting despatches from intelligence agencies spoke even of the threats to Bhai Jasbir Singh’s life. The pitch was further queered when the B.B.C., London, relayed an interview with Bhai Jasbir Singh quoting him saying that a solution to the Sikh problem was possible “within the framework of Indian Constitution”. The Takht chief was embarassed by the interview. He tried unsuccessfully to wriggle out of his statements. The interview further widened the rift.
Bhai Jasbir Singh vacated on May 8, 1988, his residence within the prikarma of the Golden Temple complex and Ins Press Secretary complained of shortage of accommodation.
The Takht chief moved to Guru Nanak Niwas. Journalists at Amritsar did not fail to compare and contrast the dramatic shift in residence when they recalled how the late Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale had left Guru Nanak Niwas to move into Akal Takht about four years ago.
“Test Firing” by Security Forces
The security forces surrounding the complex how high positions were waiting for the “fire” order. They had tested their guns on April 29 when a woman devotee. Swarn Kaur, suffered a bullet injury. Prior to the test firing on April 26-27 Santokli Singh kola along with two jeeploads of armed C.R.P.F. men had aimed at insiders from Ghanta Char entrance side of Darbar Sahib (see Annexure 10).
The D-Day was fast approaching. The C.R.P.F. D.I.G., S.S. Virk inspected fortifications of his force at noon on May 9, 1983. The Press next day reported, obviously on the Police briefing, that Virk was fired upon by terrorists and
he suffered jaw injury. The exchange of tire continued for six hours. At least five civilians were killed, one of them opposite the Akal Takht building, as a result of “cross firing”.
The militants have their own story to tell. An insider, who preferred anonymity, told the 1).11.R.O. team a few days later that the provocation came not from militants but from the C.R.P.F. Virk himself took the risky initiative of pressing with force a newly-built wall behind Akal Takht with a view to pull down the structure. There was altercation between Virk and a group of militants trying to see the wall intact. A C.R.P.F. bodyguard of Virk opened fire to C.R.P.F. men in action at Amritsar
injure one Baldev Singh, at his shoulder. This provoked the militants. The men belonging to Sakatar Singh’s group fired back injuring the D.I.G.
The report of attack on the D.I.G. spread like wild fire. The Government promulgated curfew in the wake of the incident. J.F. Reberio told newsmen at Chandigarh the same afternoon that “the Centre had been informed of the situation”. P. Chidambram told the Rajya Sabha that the Centre was planning “drastic action” against the terrorists in the Golden Temple.
While the situation was reaching a flash-point, Bhai Jasbir Singh and four priests were that day at Patiala to receive a rare honour from the Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Dr. Bhagat Singh.
The curfew continued around the complex on May 10. There was sporadic C.R.P.F. firing throughout the day. The Punjab Director-General of Police, K.P.S. Gill, told newsmen that security forces had beech instructed to open fire on terrorists at the “slightest movement” by them. “The curfew would continue indefinitely giving rise to speculation that this the security forces meant business with 70 to 80 terrorists caught inside the temple complex”. (Indian Express : May II, 1988).
Darbar Sahib is Sealed
During the day 800 devotees and employees of the S.G.P.C. were evacuated from the complex leaving militants inside with hefty sums of money on their heads. The C.R.P.F. ensured that the complex was completely sealed and no terrorist should escape as many of them did during the operation “Blue Star” in 1984.
In the evening the security forces’ firing resulted in the death of two terrorists inside the complex and an unspecified number of them was injured. The terrorists were entrenched on seven points in the complex three on the Prasad point, one each on two towers, and one each on the Clock Tower entrance and the fortifications above it.
The Press reports said the electricity and water supply had not been cut but the insiders reported later that the Government claim was not true : the power and water supply had been cut. Bhai Surat Singh Khalsa, a Unified Akali Dal (U.A.D.) activist closely connected with Baba loginder Singh, stated (Annexure 5) that the rooms inside had been seen to be lit by candle light when a group were allowed to go in by security forces ostensibly to pick up dead bodies.
The security forces around the complex were equipped with night vision gadgets which the militants evidently did not know with the result that when they ventured out, they were shot or injured.
There was speculation outside about the militants trapped inside. There were frequent telephone calls seeking identity of those inside. The Amritsar-based journalists tried to know whether Manochahal and Labh Singh were also inside. The speculation was fuelled by reports that top militants had been called by Bhai Jasbir Singh for a “Panthic Unity” session. The police chief when questioned said : “Several of those inside are important persons.’ 1 cannot tell you about their names for obvious reasons”. (The Tribune : May II, 1988).
Are N.S.G. Commandos C.R.P.F. men?
“All strategic C.R.P.F. pickets overlooking the Golden Temple complex were augmented with the elite Black Cat Commandos of the National Security Guards (NSG) who were brought on May 10 even as sporadic exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists lodged in the complex continued.
“While indefinite curfew clamped in the walled city of Amritsar since 3 P.M. on May 9 continued to be in force without any relaxation, the NSG commandos in the guise of C.R.P.F. personnel kept the terrorists at bay with their specially brought Swedish sophisticated PSG Sniper rifles fitted with telescopic lenses and medium machine guns (MMGs) having a range of upto 1,800 metres.
The deployment of Black Cats has been done as a part of the government’s apparent policy to exhaust out the terrorists trapped inside the temple more effectively. Thus, the deadly Sniper rifles known for their precision have been introduced in order to eliminate the terrorists one by one ” (Indian Express : May 12, 1988).
While the operation was in progress, the Government continued its efforts to bring round insiders through the good of offices of Bhai Jasbir Singh. The latter on May II sent a team headed by Thai Gurdev Singh Kaonke, a former Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, accompanied by a few activists of Damdami Taksal, inside the Golden Temple ostensibly to bring the dead bodies from inside for cremation. The talks between the Government and the head priests centred round the question of surrender by insiders. The Gurdev Singh Mission failed. The insiders did not allow the bodies to be removed. Another team which included Bhai Surat Singh khalsa, Bhai Mohkam Singh, Bhai Nirmal Singh and 10 others was sent on the night of May 11 by Bhai Jasbir Singh. This mission too failed. A team of journalists was also allowed inside the complex on May 11 evidently to assess the militants’ mood.
“No Confidence” in Jasbir Singh
An impression was conveyed to the Takht Jathedar by members of the second team that the insiders were willing to obey the directions of “Singh Sahibs and Baba Thakur Singh of Damdami Taksal”. But an insider informed the P.H.R.O. team that they had pledged to abide by the orders of Baba Thakur Singh only. Implied in the remark was the fact that the insiders had lost faith in the jathedars. They also viewed with contempt overnight’s agreement between the Jathedars and the authorities. They described the agreement as “Government conspiracy” to evict them from their “home”. (see Annexures 5 and 10).
The failure of Government’s last-minute efforts to bring the insiders to submission left it with no choice other than putting Bhai Jasbir Singh and other Jathedars under “protective custody”. P. Chidambram told the Lok Sabha on May 12 that the Government had decide, on “certain measures to rid the Golden Temple complex of extremists”.
Behind-the-scenes talks between Bhai Jasbir Singh and the authorities continued even in Central Jail, Amritsar.
Bhai Jasbir Singh, who found his and other Jathedars’ authority not being respected by militants, sent Bhai Molikain Singh
and five others from the jail on the night of May 14 to meet Baba Thakur Singh at Mehta Chowk, head office of Damdami Taksal. The baba refused to endorse Jathedars’ accord with the authorities. The team was informed that the Taksal was opposed to the idea of surrender of men and weapons. The Taksal chief reiterated this stand to Deputy Commissioner Sarbjit Singh when lie went to meet him on May 15.
Governor’s “Last Warning”
Decks were now clear for intensified firing and other measures across the complex to force militants to surrender. Governor S.S. Ray issued his “final warning”. Initiative for talks came from within the complex when Bhai Sakatar Singh, a close associate of Baba Uttam Singh,. telephoned the Taksal office at Mehta Chowk on May 14-15. Bhai Malkiat Singh at Chowk Mehta end talked to Bhai Sakatar Singh and expressed his surprise at the functioning of Bhai Sakatar Singh’s telephone when all channels of communication with the complex had been cut off. Bhai Sakatar Singh requested that Baba Thakur Singh should ask Baba Uttam Singh to speak to Union Home Minister Buta Singh to end the siege of the complex. Baba Thakur Singh turned down the request, according to Bhai Malkiat Singh, who also denied that he and Bhai Gajjan Singh entered the complex area after May Il, 1988, and that allegation that they played a role in the surrender was wrong. It was all arranged by Baba Uttam Singh and Sakatar Singh.
With food supplies depleting and no water to drink 168 inmates including Surjit Singh Panta, Sakatar Singh, Charanjit Singh, Labh Singh Labhu and Harcharan Singh, a brother of Panta surrendered on May 15, 1988. This surrender was arranged by baba Uttam Singh. Panta committed suicide by consuming cynide alter he was identified. About 40 men entered the Golden Temple with hands raised instead of surrendering to the police baba Uttam Singh appealed to them once again but none obliged. (Indian Express: May 16, 1988), of those who surrendered 117 men and Women were formally arrested for waging a war against the State, conspiracy, collecting arms and ammunition and under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.
“Terrorists as Sitting Ducks”
An N.S.G. officer told Dinesh Kumar of Indian Express on May 16, 1988, that “the terrorists were like sitting ducks for our snipers”.
After LG. Chaman Lal asked the remaining inmates to” surrender on May 18,1988, 46 persons surrendered. They included Nirvair Singh and Malkiat Singh Ajnala. The police stated that Karaj Singh Thande of Bhindranwale Tigers Force committed suicide by consuming cynide in the prikarma but, according to Bhai Malkiat Singh of Damdami Taksal, Thande died fighting because he had dared come out equipped with Weapons just in front of the temple complex. Two unearned youths who were not following the route indicated to them by security forces were gunned down on the prikarma near Ghanta Ghar. Yet another militant Bagga Singh also consumed cynide, according to the police. Included in this batch was a woman, wife of Chanchal Singh Uddoke.
