March 2012 Archive

Two days of unrest, suspicion and rumours

Ludhiana, Punjab (March 31, 2012): Last two days were days of suspicion and rumours. Many Sikh sections believed that the government of India could go to any extent to hang Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana on March 31, 2012. This belief was not a mere baseless suspicion; the track record of Governmt of India supports it. In 1992 Bhai Harjinder Singh (Jinda) and Bhai Sukhdev Singh (Sukha) were scheduled to be hanged on October 9. Both had decided not to appeal against death sentence awarded by Indian Courts. A Chandigarh based Sikh moved a petition to the President of India u/Article 72 of Indian Constitution. The Cabinet of Government of India held a late night meeting on October 8, 1992 to reject the petition and clear the hanging of Bhai Sukha-Jinda. Accordingly they were hanged on October 9, 1992 @ 4 am IST.

Another injured Sikh arrested by Patiala police from Rajindra hospital

Patiala, Punjab (March 31, 2012): As per information available with Sikh Siyasat, Paramjeet Singh, fourth Sikh who was injured during clash at Arya Samaj area of Patiala, is also removed from Rajindra Hospital by Patiala police. Reliable sources revealed that Paramjeet Singh got discharged from hospital by the Police and was immediately arrested from the Hospital premiss yesterday evening.

Gurdaspur curfew continues; Father of deceased Sikh boy name SI as killer

Gurdaspur, Punjab (March 30, 2012): On March 30, 2012, a day after the killing of a Sikh youth, Jaspal Singh in police firing; the Gurdaspur city continued to remain tense on Friday and also under curfew. The curfew however was relaxed for two hours from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm for the convenience of the residents. As per reports, in a complaint to the police, Gurcharanjit Singh father of the deceased has alleged that assistant sub-inspector Joginder Singh had allegedly shot dead his son. But the police has registered a case under section 302 Indian penal code (IPC) "against unknown persons" after death of Sikh boy. No arrest has been made yet.

Rajoana hanging: SCI refuses to entertain stay plea; GOI stay still valid

New Delhi, India (March 30, 2012): Supreme court of India today refused to entertain the petition seeking stay on hanging of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, filed by an Advocate in Public interest. Earlier today LFHRI withdrew it's petition seeking stay on execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana. As the death sentence of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana is already temporarily stayed by Government of India as a part of procedure followed in entertaining the Presidential review petition moved by SGPC under Article 72 of the Constitution of India, therefore LFHRI decided to withdraw the petition from Supreme Court to avoid any adverse effects.

Rare conviction: After 22 years of killing a Sikh in fake encounter Indian cops get life term

Lucknow, India (March 30, 2012): Twenty years after a case of staged shoot-out, a CBI court in Ghaziabad on Thursday held 17 policemen guilty and sentenced 16 of them to life imprisonment on March 29, 2012, making it perhaps the largest number of cops convicted for life at one go in the country. They were convicted of killing a Sikh, Jaivender Singh Jasna of Amritsar, in a fake encounter in 1992.

Three Injured Sikhs arrested from Patiala, falsely charged with serious offences, sent to Ludhiana Jail

Patiala, Punjab (March 29, 2012): As per information received from Sikh Siyasat sources, three young Sikhs who were injured by police beating at Arya Samaj Patiala yesterday (March 28, 2012) are falsely charged with serious offences including "attempt to murder" under section 307 IPC.

Large scale arrests of Sikh activists expected in Punjab tonight

Ludhaina, Punjab (March 28, 2012): The Punjab police has tightened the grip on Sikhs in Punjab, and a number of Sikhs are arrested today. Sikh leaders of Nawanshehr district who were arrested yesterday, were able to secure bail today but they were rearrested.

Observations on developments on Rajoana Case: Indian judiciary’s intentions under question

New Delhi, India (March 29, 2012): Indian judiciary's intentions does not seem to be good for Punjab and it's people. Indian Courts that failed to nail culprits of major human rights violations, including those occurred with in it's vicinity – such as Sikh genocide 1984, are proactive in issuing “observations” on current situation in Punjab. As per reports Supreme Court sharply criticised the move against death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana. Punjab government headed by Parkash Singh Badal is reported to have come under sharp criticism from Supreme court of India.

More Sikhs arrested in Amritsar; Sikh bodies condemned police atrocities and killing of Sikh youth in Gurdaspur

Amritsar, Punjab (March 29, 2012): Ten Sikhs are reported to have been arrested by the Amritsar police. Confirming the arrest of ten Sikhs, Police Commissioner Amritdsar R.P. Mittal said that these were arrested under the "preventive measures" of under section of 107/51 IPC.

Sikh boy killed by police in Gurdaspur – Curfew imposed; Shiv Sena attack Sikhs in Patiala, Phagwara

Gurdaspur/Patiala, Punjab (March 29, 2012): As per information available from various sources the police today opened fire on Sikhs who had gathered at a Gurudwara Sahib in Gurdaspur to prevent right wing Hindu organization Shiv Sena from burning effigy of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, a Sikh political prisoner who is on death row.

Shiv sena activists burn kesri turban?

Ludhiana, Punjab (March 29, 2012): A video has appeared on Social Networking website YouTube which shows that alleged members of Hindu community and Shiv Sena burned a “Kesri” turban. Twenty nine seconds video shows hair cut persons speaking in Punjabi burned a Kesri turban and ruined it in their feet. This is an act of massive provocation but the police did not stop these persons.

Punjab: Political dissent put in prison – Sikh leaders arrested on mass scale

Ludhiana, Punjab (March 29, 2012): As per reports, arrests of Sikh leaders were carried out at large scale yesterday. The Punjab police initiated the crackdown on political opponents of ruling Badal Dal at around afternoon and arrests were made till late night. Some reports suggest that police is still looking for many Sikh leaders who have gone underground to avoid arrests and undue harassment.

KPS Gill favours hanging of Bhai Rajoana; opposed steps for his release

Chandigarh, Punjab (March 29, 2012): As per media reports former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP), KPS Gill, during whose tenure former chief minister Beant Singh was assassinated in 1995, termed the efforts to save Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana from gallows as “perversion of system”.

Bhai Rajoana hanging: After stay news Sikh leaders arrested by Punjab police;

Ludhiana/Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab (March 28, 2012): As per information available with Sikh Siyasat, Punjab government led by Badal-BJP combine has instructed the Punjab police to arrest Sikh leaders. Police has already arrested Sikh leader Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema and S. Jasvir Singh Kandoor. Bhai Daljit Singh is chairman of Akali Dal Panch Pardhani, while Bhai Cheema and Kandoor are secretaries of Panch Pardhani.

Execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana Stayed? Need to remain vigilant

New Delhi, India (March 28, 2012): Indian media with reference to news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) is reporting that Central Government of India has stayed the execution of death sentence of Sikh prisoner Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. Reports are suggesting that the President of India has sent the Presidential review petition filed by Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee and others, is sent to Ministry of Home Affairs (GOI) for it's recommendations, which has resulted in automatic stay. It is further said that the stay shall remain in operation until some decision on review petition is formed. ...

Thousands protested at Birmingham against hanging of Sikh prisoner Balwant Singh Rajoana in India

Birmingham, England (March 28, 2012): As per inforamtion available with Sikh Siyasat about thousand people have protested in Birmingham against an execution scheduled to take place in India on Saturday. Balwant Singh Rajoana is due to be hanged for his part in the 1995 murder of Punjab's Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was considered to be responsible for mass level massacre of civilian Sikh population.

Punjab Bandh: Police remove 3 injured Sikhs from hospital, took them to CIA staff Patiala

Patiala, Punjab (March 28, 2012): As per latest information available with "Sikh Siyasat" three injured Sikhs, who were admitted at Rajindra Hospital Patiala for treatment, are removed by a police party. Police party arrived at hospital in the evening and took three Sikhs from Emergency ward and took them away. Police informed that it was taking Sikhs to "City police station" for some inquiry purpose. But sources of Sikh Siyasat have confirmed information that these Sikhs were taken to CIA staff Patiala instead of City police station.

Clash at Patiala: Injured Sikhs admitted to Rajindra Hospital; Two critical

Patiala, Punjab (March 28, 2012): As per recent information available with Sikh Siyasat at least four injured Sikhs are admitted in Rajindra hospital; situation of two is reported to be critical. A severe clash took place at Arya Samaj Chowk, Patiala between protesting Sikhs and activists of Hindu extremist organization Shiv Sena.

Punjab Bandh: Clashs at Arya Samaj Patiala; five injured, situation tense

Patiala, Punjab (March 28, 2012): As per reports clashes between protesting Sikhs and members of another community near Arya Samaj area of Patiala has turned the situtation tense in the city where Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana is lodged at Central Jail.

Canadian Sikhs applaud MP Jasbir Sandhu and NDP Caucus

Ottawa, Canada (March 27, 2012): Following a petition campaign organized by the Canadian Sikh Coalition, Jasbir Sandhu, NDP MP from Surrey North, addressed Canadian Parliament today with regards to the looming execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana to which he received a standing ovation. Canadian Sikhs applaud this initiative of the NDP caucus.

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