AMRITSAR, Punjab, India: The “Panthic Committee” has sharply reacted to the killing of one of its members, Gurdev Singh Usmanwala, in an encounter with security personnel near Nakodar in Jullundur district.
In an Unsigned Press statement today the “committee” alleged that Usmanwala was “tortured to death” by the police. It said Usmanwala was arrested on October 5 when he was going to Ludhiana after the formation of the “Council of Khalistan”.
The “committee” further alleged that Usmanwala was “tortured” in the presence of Punjab police chief, J.F. Ribeiro, Amritsar SSP Izhar Alam, Ferozepur SSP and SP (Detective), Amritsar.
He was later killed in a fake encounter, the “committee” said.
Mr. Darshan Singh should have seen the body of Usmanwala to know whether the “Panthic Committee” existed or not, it said.
Mr, Darshan Singh a few days ago had questioned the existence of the “Panthic Committee”.
The “committee” warned that those responsible for the murder of Usmanwala would be “taught a lesson” at an appropriate time and the “battle for Khalistan” would continue.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 23, 1987
