LUDHIANA: Indian security forces killed 19 Sikh youths near Makhu hours after the killing of 16 Hindus allegedly at the hands of Sikh militants near Jagraon. Among the killed includes Nirmal Singh Nimma of Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan.
The Punjab police chief KP.SGill transported groups of newsmen: from Chandigarh Ludhiana and Amritsar for showing the dead bodies to them and to have himself photographed: with them for display by the print and electronic media.
It appeared to be a clear case of fake encounter as all 19 youths are not likely to be together in a sugarcane field.
The articles “seized” from them included television set a transistor opium a few bottles of whisky and condoms When a newsman asked Gill as to why should the alleged militants have condoms assuming that they intend raping women.
The police chief replied: to escape from AIDs Question: are these boys who may not have visited even a town aware of AIDs? Answer: Gill laughed without answering the question.
Hardly any journalist was left in any doubt that it was all a fake affair to please Hindu bigots. It is generally believed that most youths were picked up from villages for interrogation
None except Nirmal Singh Nimma was a Khalistan activist.
All others-are believed to be those who may have provided shelter to militants or may have otherwise known to them. Otherwise police would have claimed rewards for their killings.
To humiliate the members of the family of Nishan Singh Makhu the police have converted his unfinished house into a police post. The house is located on the outskirts of Makhu.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 11, 1992
