Chandigarh: After Sunday’s Patiala Sabzi Mandi incident, the Punjab police arrested 11 persons, including a woman, and booked them under draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). UAPA is present day avatar of TADA.
The police have registered two cases – one related to Patiala Sabzi Mandi incident in which an ASI’s hand cut in clash with Nihang Singhs and another case is registered in relation to arrest of Nihang Singhs from village Balbera.
Police had Picked Up 3 Women:
According to residents of village Balbera, the police had arrested three Sikh woman on Sunday. These three included wife, daughter and daughter in law of Baba Balwinder Singh, local Nihang chief who was also arrested.
Residents of village Balbera say that two women, wife and daughter of Baba Balwinder Singh were released later by the police after ‘instructing them’.
The district police, however, simply deny that they had any information about these two women.
Police Declared Arrest of Sukhpreet Kaur:
The police have registered arrest of Sukhpreet Kaur (25)- daughter in law of Baba Balwinder Singh.
Bibi Sukhpreet Kaur being brought out of court
As per FIR no. 45/2020 (PS Pasyana) Sukhpreet Kaur is booked under sections 188, 307, 353, 186, 269, 270, 294, 148, 149 of IPC, sections 51 (a), 51 (b), 54 of Disaster Management Act; section 25 of Arms Act; sections 3 and 4 of Explosives Act and sections 13, 16(1)(b), 18, 20 of UAPA.
FIR Shows Sukhpreet Kaur was Not Involved in Sabzi Mandi Incident:
The FIR registered by Punjab police in relation to Patiala Sabzi Mandi incident did not name Sukhpreet Kaur. She is named only in second FIR (no. 45, PS Pasyana) registered in relation of arrest of Nihang Singhs from village Balbera.
Therefore is clear from prima facie reading of the FIRs that Sukhpreet Kaur was not involved in Patiala Sabzi Mandi incident.
In this situation her arrest, and booking her under UAPA, is bound to raise many eyebrows.
Arrest of Woman in Patiala Incident Against Human Values: Damdami Taksal Chief:
In a written statement issued (in Gurmukhi/Punjab) on Wednesday (copy available with SSN), Baba Harnam Singh said: “Guilty should get proper punishment but in the given case arresting a woman and pressing Nihang Singhs in courts without Dastars is against human values and Sikh principles, which could lead to tense and untoward situation.
Baba Harnam Singh [File Photo]
“Kasoorvaar nu dhukvin saza milni chahidi hai par maujooda haalat vich ek istri te kes darj krna ate Nihang singhan nu adaalt vich pesh krn samein nange sir lai ke jaana manukhi kadran keemtaan ate Sikhi asoolan de vipreet hai, jis naal halaat tnaa pooran jaan ansukhaven bn sakda hai”.
READ FULL STATEMENT of BABA HARNAM SINGH (in Gurmukhi/Punjabi).