CHANDIGARH: Behind the scenes activities aimed at thrashing ‘out another Center Sikh compromise appear to have come to an end as a result of the assassination of Akali Dal Badal leader, Balwant Singh.

The dramatic militant action here last week sent a clear message to the secret negotiators and other aspirants to power to forget about any deal with Delhi which falls short of a sovereign Sikh state.

As immediate fallout, leaders of various Akali factions as well as splinter groups headed by Rajdev Singh Barnala Mrs. Bimal Kaur Khalsa, Atinderpal Singh MPs and others have been Demoralised, Apart from Parkash Singh Badal no other influential Sikh joined the funeral procession of Balwant Singh. Even Badal later refrained from making any public statement paying tribute to his slain party colleague.

Gurcharan Singh Tohra neither joined the procession nor issued a statement. Talwandi who was instrumental in admitting Balwant Singh to the Badal group a few months ago reportedly told a newsman that he would not issue a statement. “This little man was a great headache for us for years,” he however added.

Balwant Singh’s killing was owned by four militant organisations KCF, KLF, AISSF and the Babbar Khalsa. The fifth influential militant body the Bhindranwale Tiger Force openly praised the four for their action. The militant groups spelling out reasons, said Balwant Singh was responsible for the Rajiv Longowal accord. They said Balwant Singh was one of those who sold out the Sikhs for their selfish interests. They warned that the successions of Balwant Singh would not be able to enjoy the immense wealth the former Akali finance minister had amassed.

The four organisations warned that others who had lent a helping hand in formulating the Longowal accord would meet the same fate.

Observers feel that militants had sent a firm message not only to the Badal faction but also to Akali Dal Mann that they would not tolerate any transaction favoring Delhi. At the same time it was a warning to India that the militant movement could not be crushed and that the leaders no matter how well protected by it were not beyond the militants reach, they said. :

Article extracted from this publication >> July 20, 1990