Former militants cause a stir in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: The extradition of former militant Kulbir Singh from USA this week has made the Punjab police speed up efforts for seeking repatriation of about two dozen more militants living abroad. Kulbir Singh, who was associated with the Khalistan Commando Force, is involved in about 30 incidents of militant killings. He was produced in a court in Jalandhar on Tuesday and remanded to five days' police custody. According to police records, his victims included Darshan Singh Kaypee, former Punjab minister, Balwant Singh and Sarwan Singh, both MLAs.

Additional Director General (Intelligence) JP Birdi told DNA that efforts to seek extradition of about two dozen more militants would be intensified. He said many of them had been trying to seek political asylum in the countries which provided them shelter.  Birdi said Mahesh Inder Singh and Gurprit Singh are among those militants wanted by the police. Meanwhile, the police fears that the return of hardcore militants to the state might exacerbate radical politics in the run-up to the Vidhan Sabha election in February next year.

This was indicated by the fact that Harpal Singh Cheema, a militant, who was deported from the US few months ago, joined the Akali Dal (Mann) faction and designated its vice-president. Diljit Bittu and Daya Singh Lahoria are among other former militants who have joined active politics. Senior officials feel that the politicking of former militants could lend a radical touch to the election campaign and once again become a potential factor to create a law and order problem.