Fake Encounters Carried out by Police in India
JALLANDHAR, Punjab (July 16, 2013)–Various Human Rights Organisations based in Punjab have decided to take forward the case of fake encounters to the High Court. A crucial meeting was held this past Sunday by members of the Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO), Khalsa Mission Organisation (KMO) and various other prominent human rights activists.
The decision has come after Surjit Singh, a Tarn Taran based Punjab Police officer made revelations that he had killed 83 Sikhs in fake encounters. As per Surjit Singh’s statements, he was ordered by senior Punjab Police officers to do so. Surjit has already filed a petition in the High Court regarding his claims.
In the meeting, it was discussed that a petition would be filed in the Supreme Court of India seeking orders for the CBI to investigate the claims of Surjit Singh and seek protection for him. The petition would include testimonies of various families who lost their members in these fake encounters. Family members of various Sikhs killed in such encounters were also present at the Sunday meeting.
Surjit Singh has alleged that his life is in danger ever since he decided to reveal the murderous face of the Punjab Police.
Although so far there has been no justice for the families of Sikhs killed in Punjab, the committee advisors pressed that if the murders in Gujarat could be probed, the same could be achieved in Punjab where mass scale murders were organized by the Government and the Punjab Police.
PHRO vice president Kirpal Singh Randhawa stated that it is a shame that the Punjab Government is refusing to hear the claims by Surjit Singh. Senior Advocate S. Amar Singh Chahal asked for a judicial enquiry into the case. He said it was hurting to see all political parties in Punjab keeping quiet over the issue.