Patiala, Punjab (KP) – In the last several months, many Sikh youths have been rounded up in connection to the alleged 'attacks' on Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. Several of them, including the recently arrested Bibi Parveen Kaur, and Gurinder Singh ‘Gona' have been detained by the police illegally in their usual methods to satisfy their personal agendas.
A press conference was recently organized in Patiala by parents of Gurinder Singh ‘Gona,’ who was illegally detained by the police in relation to the attacks on Ram Rahim. Gona's parents appealed to the State Government to thoroughly consider the outcomes of such arrests, which are being conducted on the behest of the Haryana Government. Hinting at the brutal days of the 90’s, Gona’s parents alleged that such illegal arrests bring back decade old memories.
Balwinder Singh, father of Gurinder Singh ‘Gona’ and mother, Surinder Singh, along with his brother Parminder Singh, told the press that Gurinder Singh Gona was first called by the CIA Patiala Staff for interrogations on February 9. His appearance was later again demanded by the Karnal CIA on February 14. Initially he was only called in for half an hour but later he was charged in a forged case and kept in police remand without informing his family.
Gurinder Singh's parents told the press that the Karnal Police arrested their son in the presence of several village officials and alleged that they would release him after interrogations. Furthermore, he was handed over to the Karnal Police by his own family members, later when his remand was taken over by the police; they refused to allow the family members to see him in jail.
Problems started arising for Gurinder Singh shortly after the unsuccessful attacks on Ram Rahim. Police alleged to have arrested him on the basis that Baksheesh Singh, the main conspirator in this case, had used a mobile phone that was purchased under the name of Gona. He was later released after a brief interrogation. Gona’s parents alleged that if indeed their son had any part in the attacks on the Dera Chief, he would have gone underground the first time he was released. His readiness to appear in front of the police for the second time proves his innocence.
Gurinder Singh Gona's arrest has brought the wrath of the Sikh Sangat towards the State Government. Sikh leadership has said that the State Government must put some kind of controls over the increasing number of arrests that are being conducted by the Haryana Government. Furthermore, even the police seeking arrests of individuals belonging to different jurisdictions must present such individuals in front of jurisdictional magistrates. The increasing number of illegal arrests can lead to disrupted peace in the State.
