NEW DELHI, India, May 10 (Reuter): Twelve people have been killed in Punjab during the past 24 hours, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported today, as Sikh freedom fighters increased their pressure on the State and Central governments.
Six people were shot dead and three seriously wounded when a group of about 20 gunmen riding motor scooters swept through two villages near Amritsar, firing indiscriminately, PTI said.
In Amritsar itself, a goldsmith was killed by two gunmen who fired into the shop where he was working. The shop’s owner, a militant Hindu leader and their apparent target, was wounded along with a laborer.
Near Batala, three gunmen killed the Sikh headman of a village.
Police said they had killed Attar Singh, whom they described as a leading freedom fighter in what they called an encounter in Bhatinda district. Although Attar Singh belonged to the moderate Akali Dal Party which rules Punjab, police said he was wanted in connection with the killings of a local Akali Dal leader.
Police also said security forces had shot dead three freedom fighters near the border with Pakistan last night.
India has accused Pakistan of aiding the Sikhs fighting for an independent homeland and of sending arms across the border. Islamabad has always denied the charge.
Haryana, the Hindu dominated State bordering Punjab, votes next month in State Assembly elections. If India’s ruling Congress Party can hold Haryana, analysts predict this will give it a freer hand to impose a settlement on Punjab.
The body of Baldev Singh, a wanted Sikh freedom fighter with a reward of 50,000 rupees (4,000 dollars) on his head was found in a field near the city, apparently the victim of the police policy of killing Sikhs after arresting them.
Newspapers have said Sikh freedom fighters might try to tum voters against Congress by stepping up their violence before the election.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 15, 1987
