“The mission of the government is to eradicate the Sikh movement. Whether it is done legally or illegally, it does not matter. In wartimes law does not matter. What matters is the destruction of the enemy.” (Julio Ribiero)
Patrolling the areas at night was a big problem. The terrorists (Sikhs fighters) had started to kill the police groups patrolling the areas at night. This presented us a great problem as most of the police parties feared to go out at night. We did not do what to do. At last it was suggested by someone that the police should be sent dressed up as Sikhs. So we hired many young men including those who were weak-minded and joined the Sikh movement for the sole purpose of making money. Then we used to send them to patrol the areas where no police party wanted to go and no person was allowed to leave the house. This made easier for our groups to identify the terrorists and kill them since it would only be the terrorist groups wondering outside. (Julio Ribiero, Illustrated Weekly)
The Black Cats dressed as Sikhs, carrying assault rifles break into anyone’s house. They claim themselves to be the true freedom fighters. They eat and drink there and then dishonor the women of the house. At many places they have picked up many young girls from their homes. When some organizations fighting for human rights come forward to fight this oppression against the police, the activities carried by the Cats are increased dramatically so that the Sikh fighters could be insulted at the same level as that of the police. For some time now these Cats have been successful in blaming their misdeeds on the Sikh freedom fighters. At some places, the Cats go to house of a rich person to wine and dine there. After a few days, they send the police to the same house in the accusation of sheltering the terrorists. When the homeowner denies such charges, he is given every little detail of the account. The homeowner fearing the torture of the police pays large amount of money to buy his way out. This serves the purpose of making easy money and identifying the people who sympathize with the Sikh movement. (Punjabi Tribune, 1988)
Government’s security forces cannot do anything without the help of the Cats. Terminating these groups is out of the questions. (K.P.S.Gill, India Today)
One secret group of criminals is stationed in Amritsar area to kill those who demand an independent state. According to the members of this group they are fully supported by the police. Some of the members equipped with weapons have been seen walking in the police stations and talking to some of the high government officials. The leader of this group is known as Santokh Kala. Kala revealed to us that he has helped the police in capturing many of the famous Khalistanis. In his own words he told us “We are a group of about 25. We wonder around in the streets in our government issued cars and wherever we see a Khalistani we kill him on the spot. We are ordered to capture them alive otherwise kill them. I have so far killed about 50 Sikh fighters.” He also showed us a card which he called a permit. On the permit it was written that “This permit belongs to Santokh Kala. He is working for 25th Battalion of C.R.P. in Amritsar.” On the permit the stamp of 25th Battalion was visible in purple color. (Washington Times, 5 April 1988)
Kala told us, “Whenever we break the law we inform the police officers so they don’t file any case against us. According to him one police officer told Kala and his goons, “We are in the middle of a war. Sometimes you will have to make decisions that are not moral or according to the law but without such decisions terrorism cannot be eliminated.” Kala also told us that the Indian government and the Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi were fully aware of the situation and activities of Black Cats. (Sunday News, 1988)
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