- Secessionist Movements in Two States --
Punjab,
Kashmir
Sikh Rebels in Punjab
Sikh separatists have sought Punjab self determination since the early 1980s. During the "green revolution," Punjab became the bread basket of India. Sikhs comprise about 60 per cent of Punjab's 22 million people; many favor independence from India, while others have strongly opposed secession. The militant Sikh rebellion for an independent "Khalistan" has cost the lives of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and an estimated 10,000 others. After armed militants led by a charismatic Sikh preacher fortified the Golden Temple at Amritsar, terrorist attacks on policemen and a bus bombing triggered the imposition of President's rule. In 1984 after the army stormed the Golden Temple, her Sikh bodyguards retaliated by assassinating the Prime Minister; vengeful mobs in New Delhi then killed thousands of innocent Sikhs.
Parliament responded with tough security laws. The U.S. State Department and international human rights NGOs have documented charges that Punjab authorities deliberately executed suspects and then falsely reported the deaths as "encounter" killings.
During 1994, 76 alleged Punjabi militants were reportedly killed in armed encounters, including only 4 in the last 6 months of the year, compared with more than 583 such killings in 1993. No police or other security personnel were killed in such encounters in 1994. The fact that no police died underscored the implausibility of police claims that militants were killed in "crossfire".
1
The Punjabi police also stationed teams in eight other states where they kidnapped and occasionally executed suspected Sikh militants, despite the objections of local officials. Punjab Police Chief K.P.S. Gill reportedly told journalists that "the purpose of having such teams has been to trace, identify, and kill top militants."
2 Amnesty International reported on a team execution near Calcutta.
Early in the morning of 17 May, a party of khaki-clad Punjab police reportedly raided the home of Bashir Ahmed and Rani. The couple who were both sleeping were shot dead in their bed. The police then bundled their bodies into a van and left. The West Bengal police had not been informed of the raid beforehand and were informed about the incident afterwards.
3
With order restored by 1994, critics demanded government investigation and prosecution of police charged with wanton killing. Instead, journalists exposing violations and defense lawyers representing accused terrorists were targeted. The Supreme Court investigated police kidnapping of four defense lawyers.
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