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Chief General, ], ] '''Gurbachan Singh Manochahal''' (6 June 1954 – 28 February 1993) was ] who founded the ] in 1987.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dang |first1=Satyapal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DnVPz-sG_64C&q=gurbachan+singh+manochahal+Jujharu&pg=PA37 |title=Kharku lehar in Punjab |last2=Bakaya |first2=Ravi M. |date=1 January 2000 |publisher=Gyan Books |isbn=9788121206594 |page=412 pages}}</ref> Manochahal was responsible for over 1,000 killings by the time of his death as the head of a pro-Khalistan militant outfit.<ref name="upi.com2">{{Cite web |title=Rebel leader killed as police crack down on militancy - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/03/30/Rebel-leader-killed-as-police-crack-down-on-militancy/7658733467600/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> He was a farmer, soldier, religious preacher, social worker, militant, militant leader and a politician, though was not directly involved in politics.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Grewal |first=Manraj |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Dreams_After_Darkness/iH5uAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=dreams+after+darkness+manochahal&dq=dreams+after+darkness+manochahal&printsec=frontcover |title=Dreams After Darkness: A Search for the Life Ordinary Under the Shadow of 1984 |date=2004 |publisher=Rupa & Company |isbn=978-81-291-0479-3 |language=en}}</ref>


'''Gurbachan Singh Manochahal''' (6 June 1954 – 28 February 1993) was Jathedar of Akal Takhat Sahib who founded the ] in 1984.<ref>
⚫ == Early life ==
{{cite book
⚫ Gurbachan Singh was born on 6 June 1954 in a Chahal ] ] family of village Manochahal, ] in the Indian state of ] to S. Atma Singh Manochahal and Gurmej Kaur, and studied in a local school.<ref name=":0" />
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DnVPz-sG_64C&q=gurbachan+singh+manochahal+Jujharu&pg=PA37
|title=Kharku lehar in Punjab
|publisher=Gyan Books
|date=1 January 2000
|page=412 pages
|first1=Satyapal
|last1=Dang
|first2=Ravi M.
|last2=Bakaya
|isbn=9788121206594
}}</ref><ref name=":2">
{{cite book
|last=Mahmood|first=Cynthia Keppley
|year=1996
|title=Fighting for Faith and Nation
|series=Series in Contemporary Ethnography
|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press
|page=159ff
|isbn=9780812215922
}}</ref>


<ref name="upi.com">{{Cite web |title=Rebel leader killed as police crack down on militancy - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/03/30/Rebel-leader-killed-as-police-crack-down-on-militancy/7658733467600/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>
He worked in his uncle's 12 acre farm near Naushera-Pannuan growing wheat and seasonal vegetables.<ref name=":0" /> He was always noted to be very patriotic and religious.<ref name=":0" /> From 1966 to 1971 he was a farmer.<ref name=":0" />


⚫ ==Early life==
== Military career ==
⚫ Gurbachan Singh was born on 6 June 1954 in a Chahal ] family of village Manochahal, ] in the Indian state of ] to S. Atma Singh and Gurmej Kaur. He served in the ] during his youth.
He joined the military after he was inspired by the Indian Army in 1971, he did not fight in any combat though was noted to be very patriotic, "If I had a gun, I would mow down all those ]" he had stated.<ref name=":0" /> His brother Tarlochan Singh Manochahal (who mutinied after ]) was also in the army.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJTxPZGAMsA |title=Dharmi Fauji S. Tarlochan Singh Manochahal |date=2012-08-05 |last=FocusPunjab |access-date=2024-06-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref> He was a gunner in the ].<ref name=":0" /> When the ] threw jibes at Manochahal for not waking up on time there was an altercation, and Manochahal punched the Havildar in the face.<ref name=":0" /> He was court martialed and found guilty, spending a year in jail afterwards and was very bitter ever since.<ref name=":0" />


⚫ Manochahal was shot in the arm during the ]. After this incident, he had maintained a relationship with ] and became acquainted with other members of the organization, such as ] and ].<ref name="Punjab 2003 346">{{Cite book |last=Punjab |first=Committee for Coordination on Disappearances in |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bVTMqlezIrwC&dq=gurbachan+singh+manochahal+rataul&pg=PA346 |title=Reduced to Ashes: The Insurgency and Human Rights in Punjab : Final Report |date=2003 |publisher=Sikh Students Federation |isbn=978-99933-53-57-7 |pages=346 |language=en}}</ref> He soon became a close aid and associate of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.<ref name="indiatoday.in">{{Cite web |title=After months of preparation, Punjab Police finally kills terrorist Gurbachan Singh Manochahal |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19930331-after-months-of-preparation-punjab-police-finally-kills-terrorist-gurbachan-singh-manochahal-810870-1993-03-30 |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=India Today |date=31 March 1993 |language=en}}</ref>
== Spiritual career ==
⚫ He started his career with a series of speeches.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXlSu2xMgHM |title=Historic Speech of Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal Part 2 |date=2017-11-24 |last=Punjabi Entertainment |access-date=2024-06-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref> His oratory skills were praised by Sikh scholars and public alike.<ref name=":0" /> He raised a ] in memory of Bhai Dhanna Singh on top of a Muslim Pir's grave and worked there, the Gurdwara currently hosts 6 Hukamnamas written by ] himself collected by Gurbachan Singh Manochahal.<ref name=":0" /> Manochahal was shot in the arm during the ]. After this incident, he had maintained a relationship with ] and became acquainted with other members of the organization, such as ] and ].<ref name="Punjab 2003 3462">{{Cite book |last=Punjab |first=Committee for Coordination on Disappearances in |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bVTMqlezIrwC&dq=gurbachan+singh+manochahal+rataul&pg=PA346 |title=Reduced to Ashes: The Insurgency and Human Rights in Punjab : Final Report |date=2003 |publisher=Sikh Students Federation |isbn=978-99933-53-57-7 |pages=346 |language=en}}</ref> He soon became a close aid and associate of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.<ref name="indiatoday.in2">{{Cite web |title=After months of preparation, Punjab Police finally kills terrorist Gurbachan Singh Manochahal |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19930331-after-months-of-preparation-punjab-police-finally-kills-terrorist-gurbachan-singh-manochahal-810870-1993-03-30 |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>


==Insurgency==
His association with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale led to his undoing, the Punjab Police caught him but he was able to jump out of the lorry that was transporting him during the same time as Operation Blue Star.<ref name=":0" />
⚫ On November 11, 1985 Manochahal was surrounded in his home, in Manochahal the village, by a group of 20 officers led by the head of ] operations, ] M.M. Seti. The police had surrounded Manochahal based on a tip revealed from an informent. Manochahal opened fire on the police killing 1 officer on the spot. Seti and the remaining 19 officers fled from the scene dropping their weapons. Manochahal collected their weapons and left the scene. Seti and all officers involved faced ridicule for fleeing the scene.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=November 11, 1985 |title=उग्रवादियों द्वारा सिपाही की हत्या, एस. पी., पुलिसिये शस्त्र छोड़ भागे |trans-title=Constable killed by militant, S.P. and Police left their weapons and fled |work=] |pages=3, 14}}</ref>


⚫ Manochahal was said to the head of ]s by police in the end of 1985. He would appoint specific Kharkus to led the actions and Kharku in certain districts. He appointed Dhana Singh to lead ], ] to lead ], and Jarnail Singh Halwara, the killer of ], to lead ] and ].<ref name=":3" />
== Militant career ==
⚫ On November 11, 1985 Manochahal was surrounded in his home, in Manochahal the village, by a group of 20 officers led by the head of ] operations, ] M.M. Seti.<ref name=":0" /> The police had surrounded Manochahal based on a tip revealed from an informent. Manochahal opened fire on the police killing 1 officer on the spot.<ref name=":0" /> Seti and the remaining 19 officers fled from the scene dropping their weapons. Manochahal collected their weapons and left the scene. Seti and all officers involved faced ridicule for fleeing the scene.<ref name=":0" />


Manochahal led a resolution at the ] to declare the resolve of a separate Sikh homeland and also formed a Panthic committee which would lead Sikhs per this resolution.{{sfn|Van Dyke|2009|p=990}}
Another time the ] had tried to catch him in a sympathizers farmhouse, he had to undress and keep his kurta in a pile of hay, afterwards he left from the window.<ref name=":0" /> The police, believing Manochahal was in the pile of hay shot at it, but by the time they found out it was too late.<ref name=":0" /> These daring escapes made him a folk-figure. He was once again charged with killing one constable in Harike when he was surrounded.<ref name=":0" />


He was appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht in April 1986 and resigned from the post in January 1987 in the “larger interest of the '']''”.<ref name="'Misdeeds' of stalwarts">{{cite web |last1=Walia |first1=Varinder |title='Misdeeds' of stalwarts during militancy Amritsar ex-DC reveals it all |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020713/main2.htm |access-date=6 November 2016 |website=The Tribune}}</ref>
Another time, Manochahal was visiting his family, when they heard the police vehicles coming. Manochahal dived into a ''Khurli'' and disappeared, the police entered, though they did not find anything of suspect hence left the scene.<ref name=":0" />


⚫ In the early days of the insurgency Manochahal lived in a hideout in the swamps of the Mand areas. He created many huts there and a ]. It is said that even if Manochahal was in battle he would complete his ]. On top of the standard Sikh daily prayers he did two hours of meditation on ] and 5 ]s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harjinder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QJdcCAAAQBAJ |title=Game of Love |date=2008 |publisher=Akaal Publishers |isbn=978-0-9554587-1-2 |pages=242 |language=en}}</ref>
⚫ Manochahal was said to the head of ] by police in the end of 1985. He would appoint specific Kharkus to led the actions and Kharku in certain districts. He appointed Dhana Singh to lead ], ] to lead ], and Jarnail Singh Halwara, the killer of ], to lead ] and ].<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=Kochhar |first=Aashish |date=2020-10-11 |title=The Making of the Attari-Wagah Border |url=https://www.peepultree.world/livehistoryindia/story/religious-places-/attari-wagah-border |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=PeepulTree}}</ref> He had not openly created a militant organization though was an absconder and militant leader himself.


⚫ In 1987 Manochahal was removed from the Panthic Committee. He would later rejoin and be removed in May 1989. The reason was claimed to be for alleged looting, extortion, killing of innocents, and misuse of funds by him.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crenshaw |first=Martha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9nFyZaZGthgC&dq=gurbachan+singh+manochahal&pg=PA395 |title=Terrorism in Context |date=2010-11-01 |publisher=Penn State Press |isbn=978-0-271-04442-2 |pages=395 |language=en}}</ref> Although the real reason was internal differences. Manochahal wanted 1 person to led instead of a 5 person Panthic Committee.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pettigrew |first=Joyce J. M. |url=http://archive.org/details/sikhsofpunjabunh0000pett |title=The Sikhs of the Punjab : unheard voices of State and guerrilla violence |date=1995 |publisher=London; Atlantic Highlands, N.J. : Zed Books |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-85649-355-0 |pages=85}}</ref>
⚫ Manochahal led a resolution at the ] to declare the resolve of a separate Sikh homeland and also formed a Panthic committee which would lead Sikhs per this resolution.{{sfn|Van Dyke|2009|p=990}} He was appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht in April 1986 and resigned from the post in January 1987 in the “larger interest of the '']''”.<ref name="'Misdeeds' of stalwarts2">{{cite web |last1=Walia |first1=Varinder |title='Misdeeds' of stalwarts during militancy Amritsar ex-DC reveals it all |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020713/main2.htm |access-date=6 November 2016 |website=The Tribune}}</ref> In the early days of the insurgency Manochahal lived in a hideout in the swamps of the Mand areas. He created many huts there and a ]. It is said that even if Manochahal was in battle he would complete his ]. On top of the standard Sikh daily prayers he did two hours of meditation on ] and 5 ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harjinder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QJdcCAAAQBAJ |title=Game of Love |date=2008 |publisher=Akaal Publishers |isbn=978-0-9554587-1-2 |pages=242 |language=en}}</ref>


On June 14, 1987, BTFK claimed responsibility for the killing of 12 and injuring 20 in ] in a shooting. BTFK said, “'Killings squads have reached (New) Delhi and they will take revenge for the November ].”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh radicals kill 12 with submachine guns - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/06/14/Sikh-radicals-kill-12-with-submachine-guns/7449550641600/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> Surjit Singh Penta carried out the killings.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Sikh extremists staged coordinated attacks in the capital today,... - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/07/30/Sikh-extremists-staged-coordinated-attacks-in-the-capital-today/1880554616000/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Kanth |first=Amod K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7PYMEAAAQBAJ&dq=surjit+singh+penta&pg=PT165 |title=Khaki in Dust Storm: Communal Colours and Political Assassinations (1980–1991) Police Diaries Book 1 |date=2020-12-18 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-93-88630-89-4 |language=en}}</ref>
⚫ In 1987 Manochahal was removed from the Panthic Committee. He would later rejoin and be removed in May 1989. The reason was claimed to be for alleged misuse of funds by him.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crenshaw |first=Martha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9nFyZaZGthgC&dq=gurbachan+singh+manochahal&pg=PA395 |title=Terrorism in Context |date=2010-11-01 |publisher=Penn State Press |isbn=978-0-271-04442-2 |pages=395 |language=en}}</ref> Although the real reason was internal differences. Manochahal wanted to participate in the elections, and so did Seetal Singh Mattewal though it did not resound with the other members.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pettigrew |first=Joyce J. M. |url=http://archive.org/details/sikhsofpunjabunh0000pett |title=The Sikhs of the Punjab : unheard voices of State and guerrilla violence |date=1995 |publisher=London ; Atlantic Highlands, N.J. : Zed Books |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-85649-355-0 |pages=85}}</ref> He had also officially started his militant journey in 1987, by creating the outfit known as the ].<ref name=":0" />


On July 30, 1987, BTKF claimed responsibility for an attack on Hans Raj Sethi, a ] representative on the New Delhi City Council. He was shot dead with 6 bullets. He was considered a “father figure” for the BJP and ] in Delhi. They next walked up to Sudarshan Munjal, a BJP member, in his driveway and killed him. Surjit Singh Penta carried out the killings.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":1" />
⚫ On June 23, 1988, Manochahal was appointed as official Jathedar of Akal Takht.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WSN |title=5 Years Ago June 24, 1988 Panthic Committee appoints Maochahal Akal Takht chief |url=https://sikhheritageeducation.com/5-years-ago-june-24-1988-panthic-committee-appoints-maochahal-akal-takht-chief/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=SIKH HERITAGE EDUCATION |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gupta |first1=Dipankar |last2=Banerjee |first2=Sumanta |last3=Mohan |first3=Dinesh |last4=Navlakha |first4=Gautam |date=1988 |title=Punjab: Communalised beyond Politics |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4378888 |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=23 |issue=33 |pages=1677–1684 |issn=0012-9976 |jstor=4378888}}</ref>


⚫ On June 23, 1988, Manochahal was appointed as official Jathedar of Akal Takht. He will hold the position until February 5, 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WSN |title=Manochahal decides to 'quit' post |url=https://sikhheritageeducation.com/manochahal-decides-to-quit-post/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=SIKH HERITAGE EDUCATION |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=WSN |title=5 Years Ago June 24, 1988 Panthic Committee appoints Maochahal Akal Takht chief |url=https://sikhheritageeducation.com/5-years-ago-june-24-1988-panthic-committee-appoints-maochahal-akal-takht-chief/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=SIKH HERITAGE EDUCATION |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gupta |first1=Dipankar |last2=Banerjee |first2=Sumanta |last3=Mohan |first3=Dinesh |last4=Navlakha |first4=Gautam |date=1988 |title=Punjab: Communalised beyond Politics |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4378888 |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=23 |issue=33 |pages=1677–1684 |jstor=4378888 |issn=0012-9976}}</ref>
⚫ To make Manochahal surrender himself police illegal detained many of his family members. Manochahal refused to surrender which led the detention, torture, and death of his family members.<ref name="Punjab 2003 3462" /> Per ], a former Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau, India, he was given the task to negotiate with Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. He contacted Manochahal through a journalist source, was blindfolded and taken a few hundred kilometres from Amritsar to meet with him where he secretly held negotiations for three hours before he was blindfolded again and transported back.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 September 2006 |title=Old men and their Official secrets - Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Old-men-and-their-Official-secrets/articleshow/1951335.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211092642/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Old-men-and-their-Official-secrets/articleshow/1951335.cms |archive-date=11 February 2017 |access-date=6 February 2017 |website=] |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Rajiv Gandhi years |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-40th-anniversary-the-rajiv-gandhi-years-shekhar-gupta/1/543076.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206190125/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-40th-anniversary-the-rajiv-gandhi-years-shekhar-gupta/1/543076.html |archive-date=6 February 2017 |access-date=6 February 2017 |website=India Today |df=dmy-all}}</ref>


⚫ On the morning of June 25, 1989 KLF and BTFK members attacked ] (RSS) members at their meeting at Nehru Park in Moga. 21 RSS members were killed with a police officer, a paramilitary ] and a couple dying of a bomb blast after the shooting leaving a total of 25 dead and 31-35 injured. It has since been renamed to Shahidi Park meaning Martyr Park. According to police Sikhs opened fire with automatic weapons from a van killing 21 and injuring many. According to survivors bullets were sprayed on everyone. They then left the scene. Soon after a powerful bomb blast occurred which killed 4, injured more, and caused damage. A second bomb also blew up after, but it caused no damage or injuries. A curfew was announced immediately following the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shahidi Park {{!}} District Moga, Government of Punjab {{!}} India |url=https://moga.nic.in/tourist-place/shahidi-park/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite news |title=SIKH MILITANTS FIRE ON HINDU GATHERING IN PUNJAB |newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1989/06/26/sikh-militants-fire-on-hindu-gathering-in-punjab/9873dc5b-d290-4101-a16e-23c18c4f2a20/}}</ref><ref name="Swami">{{Cite web |last=Swami |first=Praveen |date=2023-03-29 |title=Why does the ghost of Khalistan still haunt Punjab? Story of this father & son has answers |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/security-code/why-does-the-ghost-of-khalistan-still-haunt-punjab-story-of-this-father-son-has-answers/1480923/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sabha |first=India Parliament Rajya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DBEaAAAAIAAJ |title=Parliamentary Debates: Official Report |publisher=Council of States Secretariat |pages=127 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Marwah |first=Ved |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V4UiAQAAMAAJ |title=Uncivil Wars: Pathology of Terrorism in India |date=1997 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-81-7223-251-1 |pages=393 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Mohinder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bnRuAAAAMAAJ |title=Punjab 1999: Political and Socio-economic Developments |date=2000 |publisher=Anamika Publishers & Distributors |isbn=978-81-86565-76-6 |pages=264 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-06-29 |title=Punjab militancy: 26 years on, Moga observes its 'darkest day' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/punjab-militancy-26-years-on-moga-observes-its-darkest-day/articleshow/47860503.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-06-06 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>World Sikh News (Punjabi) June 30, 1989</ref>
His most famed encounter was known as the Ratauwalla Encounter, when Manochahal had a meeting with 10-12 of his men, the police had received information about it.<ref name=":0" /> They laid siege on the Vanchari village.<ref name=":0" /> When a sepoy noticed steps leading to a bunker, Manochahal was able to fire a burst of shots, dropping him to the floor.<ref name=":0" /> A 47 hour-long encounter ensued, with the Punjab Police, CRPF, BSF and some local militia all combining their efforts, yet they were not able to catch their main absconder.<ref name=":0" /> The ] who used to call Manochahal a 'Sarkari' (Government man) were convinced that he was not after the encounter.<ref name=":0" /> Right after the encounter he sent an audio recording addressing ] and ] and then the President and Prime Minister of India in the typical ruffian style, invoking the names of ] and Mian Mannu.<ref name=":0" /> His loud voice in the recording was laced with wrath, arrogance and anger using a language both brazen and pompous, asking the Indian Government to slug it out with him.<ref name=":0" />


⚫ On March 2, 1990, KCF faction chief Gurjant Singh Rajasthani and BTFK chief Gurbachan Singh Manochahal claimed responsibility for killing Amritsar Jail Superintendent Pyara Lal. They claimed he tortured Sikhs in prison.<ref name=":92">World Sikh News (Punjabi) March 2, 1990 Page 2</ref>
=== Attacks on Hindu-right wing ===
In the Panthic Committee meeting he was deputed to be in charge of curtailing Hindu right-wing activity. He was known to be particularly brutal in his methods which were criticized by leaders and locals.


In April 1990 Manochahal with his BTFK, ] (Rajasthani), and ] (Matthewal) formed an alliance and created their own Panthic Committee.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pettigrew |first=Joyce J. M. |url=http://archive.org/details/sikhsofpunjabunh0000pett |title=The Sikhs of the Punjab : unheard voices of State and guerrilla violence |date=1995 |publisher=London; Atlantic Highlands, N.J. : Zed Books |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-85649-355-0 |pages=86}}</ref>
⚫ On June 14, 1987, BTFK claimed responsibility for the killing of 12 and injuring 20 in ] in a shooting. BTFK said, “'Killings squads have reached (New) Delhi and they will take revenge for the November ].”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh radicals kill 12 with submachine guns - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/06/14/Sikh-radicals-kill-12-with-submachine-guns/7449550641600/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> Surjit Singh Penta carried out the killings.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Budha Dal and Jathedars - Brief History {{!}} PDF {{!}} Sikh {{!}} Religious Comparison |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/76501455/Budha-Dal-and-Jathedars-Brief-History |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Scribd |language=en}}</ref> On July 30, 1987, BTKF claimed responsibility for an attack on Hans Raj Sethi, a ] representative on the New Delhi City Council. He was shot dead with 6 bullets. He was considered a “father figure” for the BJP and ] in Delhi. They next walked up to Sudarshan Munjal, a BJP member, in his driveway and killed him. Surjit Singh Penta carried out the killings.<ref name=":12" /> On the morning of June 25, 1989 KLF and BTFK members attacked ] (RSS) members at their meeting at Nehru Park in Moga. 21 RSS members were killed with a police officer, a paramilitary ] and a couple dying of a bomb blast after the shooting leaving a total of 25 dead and 31-35 injured. It has since been renamed to Shahidi Park meaning Martyr Park. According to police Sikhs opened fire with automatic weapons from a van killing 21 and injuring many. According to survivors bullets were sprayed on everyone. They then left the scene. Soon after a powerful bomb blast occurred which killed 4, injured more, and caused damage. A second bomb also blew up after, but it caused no damage or injuries. A curfew was announced immediately following the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shahidi Park {{!}} District Moga, Government of Punjab {{!}} India |url=https://moga.nic.in/tourist-place/shahidi-park/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Swami2">{{Cite web |last=Swami |first=Praveen |date=2023-03-29 |title=Why does the ghost of Khalistan still haunt Punjab? Story of this father & son has answers |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/security-code/why-does-the-ghost-of-khalistan-still-haunt-punjab-story-of-this-father-son-has-answers/1480923/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sabha |first=India Parliament Rajya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DBEaAAAAIAAJ |title=Parliamentary Debates: Official Report |publisher=Council of States Secretariat |pages=127 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Marwah |first=Ved |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V4UiAQAAMAAJ |title=Uncivil Wars: Pathology of Terrorism in India |date=1997 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-81-7223-251-1 |pages=393 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Mohinder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bnRuAAAAMAAJ |title=Punjab 1999: Political and Socio-economic Developments |date=2000 |publisher=Anamika Publishers & Distributors |isbn=978-81-86565-76-6 |pages=264 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-06-29 |title=Punjab militancy: 26 years on, Moga observes its 'darkest day' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/punjab-militancy-26-years-on-moga-observes-its-darkest-day/articleshow/47860503.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-06-06 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>World Sikh News (Punjabi) June 30, 1989</ref>


⚫ In 1992, a separate Panthic committee headed by Dr. Sohan Singh was forme. It called for the boycott of the ]. Manochahal argued they should contest in the election. He argued that it was the only time to get Khalistan and it was now or never .His demands for an election led others calling him a government puppet. He decided not to contest after Sikh leaders kept calling for a boycott. The formation of this committee undermined the influence of Manochahal who was criticized for his support for political participation and led to a divide between the armed groups within Punjab.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Aggarwal |first=J. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-CN0Q4g-dwC&dq=gurbachan+singh+manochahal&pg=PA167 |title=Modern History of Punjab: A Look Back Into Ancient Peaceful Punjab Focusing Confrontation and Failures Leading to Present Punjab Problem, and a Peep Ahead : Relevant Select Documents |date=1992 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |isbn=978-81-7022-431-0 |pages=167–169 |language=en}}</ref> Elections resulted in a Congress Government under ] of the ]. The formation of this committee undermined the influence of Manochahal who was criticized for his support for political participation and led to a divide between the armed groups within Punjab.
⚫ On March 2, 1990, KCF faction chief Gurjant Singh Rajasthani and BTFK chief Gurbachan Singh Manochahal claimed responsibility for killing Amritsar Jail Superintendent Pyara Lal. They claimed he tortured Sikhs in prison.<ref name=":922">World Sikh News (Punjabi) March 2, 1990 Page 2</ref>


To make Manochahal surrender himself police illegal detained many of his family members. Manochahal refused to surrender which led the detention, torture, and death of his family members.<ref name="Punjab 2003 346"/>
=== Use of Non-Militant Tactics ===
Gurbachan Singh Manochahal and Harminder Singh Sandhu collaborated to fight the elections in a manner that Khalistan would be achieved through using Democracy and Insurgency.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Singh (@SikhsInCourt) |first=Khem |last2=Siṅgh |first2=Mahāvīra |date=2024-06-01 |title=For The Greater Good |url=https://punjabdavakeel.substack.com/p/for-the-greater-good |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=Khem’s Substack}}</ref> They both also collaborated to install Khalsa Panchayats as a parallel government system to solve rural and domestic cases in Punjab.<ref name=":1" />


⚫ Per ], a former Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau, India, he was given the task to negotiate with Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. He contacted Manochahal through a journalist source, was blindfolded and taken a few hundred kilometres from Amritsar to meet with him where he secretly held negotiations for three hours before he was blindfolded again and transported back.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Old-men-and-their-Official-secrets/articleshow/1951335.cms|title=Old men and their Official secrets - Times of India|website=] |date=3 September 2006 |access-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211092642/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Old-men-and-their-Official-secrets/articleshow/1951335.cms|archive-date=11 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-40th-anniversary-the-rajiv-gandhi-years-shekhar-gupta/1/543076.html|title=The Rajiv Gandhi years|website=India Today|date=10 December 2015 |access-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206190125/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-40th-anniversary-the-rajiv-gandhi-years-shekhar-gupta/1/543076.html|archive-date=6 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
During the Indian General election Manochahal selected candidate Resham Singh Malmori to fight against ].<ref name=":1" /> He also infiltrated the Punjab Police, for example, leading PAP constable Balwinder Singh Manochahal was his cousin,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1986-11-15 |title=Assassination attempt on Julio Ribeiro a clear indictment of intelligence agencies |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19861115-assassination-attempt-on-julio-ribeiro-a-clear-indictment-of-intelligence-agencies-801457-1986-11-14 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> and ] helped Manochahal establish Panthic presence in Punjab's business and economic sectors through various land grabs across ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1986-09-30 |title=I have nothing to do with extremists: Major Singh Uboke |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/investigation/story/19860930-i-have-nothing-to-do-with-extremists-major-singh-uboke-801287-1986-09-29 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>


⚫ ==Death==
Manochahal had insight over how to go about the militancy, an insight which was only shared by Seetal Singh Mattewal and Harminder Singh Sandhu. He contacted various other militia which were creating unrest in India. The Panthic Committee supremo, according to interrogation reports, had gone to ], ] in 1992 to meet "Gorkhaland" militants.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=1988-07-15 |title=Amritsar confessions: Interrogation reports reveal new facts about terror network in Punjab |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19880715-amritsar-confessions-interrogation-reports-reveal-new-facts-about-terror-network-in-punjab-797474-1988-07-14 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Details of his talks are not known.<ref name=":2" /> He had also sent feelers to the ] in ] and ] in ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=1988-07-15 |title=Amritsar confessions: Interrogation reports reveal new facts about terror network in Punjab |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19880715-amritsar-confessions-interrogation-reports-reveal-new-facts-about-terror-network-in-punjab-797474-1988-07-14 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> and had stated in an interview that he had connections with Assamese and Kashmiri militants.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=1991-09-15 |title=We are in touch with militants in Assam and J&K: Gurbachan Singh Manochal |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/interview/story/19910915-we-are-in-touch-with-militants-in-assam-and-j-k-gurbachan-singh-manochal-814851-1991-09-14 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
Manochahal carried a ] of {{INR}}30 ] on his head.
⚫ He was killed in a fierce police encounter on 1 March 1993 by ]. Manochahal escaped from the police's dragnet on 27 February in Bagrian village before the police cornered him in the nearby Rataul village the following day.


⚫ The encounter began at 3:45 PM when Police search team were fired upon by Manochahal and others. The Police search team requested immediate assistance. Soon 2 ] led by 2 different ]s and the Commanding officer of the ], ] arrived. So did many other senior officers. In 30 minutes over 225 army and police personnel began to cordon the area.<ref name="indiatoday.in"/> After defending himself for an hour with a machine gun, he was killed. The chief of the Punjab Police, ] later proclaimed, "Now I can say that we have finished militancy in Punjab."<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian police kill top Sikh guerilla |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-QwxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IOEFAAAAIBAJ&dq=bhindranwala%20tigers%20force%20of%20khalistan&pg=1778%2C127110 |newspaper=] |page=16 |date=1 March 1993}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Manochahal killed in encounter |newspaper=] |date=1 March 1993 |page=1}}</ref> Manochahal killed 12 officers including ] (Deputy inspector general) Ajit Singh.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Punjab |first=Committee for Coordination on Disappearances in |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bVTMqlezIrwC&dq=gurbachan+singh+manochahal+rataul&pg=PA346 |title=Reduced to Ashes: The Insurgency and Human Rights in Punjab : Final Report |date=2003 |publisher=Sikh Students Federation |isbn=978-99933-53-57-7 |language=en}}</ref>
== Political career ==
⚫ In April 1990 Manochahal with his BTFK, ] (Rajasthani), and ] (Matthewal) formed an alliance and created their own Panthic Committee.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pettigrew |first=Joyce J. M. |url=http://archive.org/details/sikhsofpunjabunh0000pett |title=The Sikhs of the Punjab : unheard voices of State and guerrilla violence |date=1995 |publisher=London ; Atlantic Highlands, N.J. : Zed Books |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-85649-355-0 |pages=86}}</ref> In 1992, a separate Panthic committee headed by Dr. Sohan Singh was formed which called for the boycott of the ]. Manochahal's support for fighting in the elections prompted remarks comparing him to a government puppet. The formation of this committee undermined the influence of Manochahal who was criticized for his support for political participation and led to a divide between the armed groups within Punjab.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Aggarwal |first=J. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-CN0Q4g-dwC&dq=gurbachan+singh+manochahal&pg=PA167 |title=Modern History of Punjab: A Look Back Into Ancient Peaceful Punjab Focusing Confrontation and Failures Leading to Present Punjab Problem, and a Peep Ahead : Relevant Select Documents |date=1992 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |isbn=978-81-7022-431-0 |pages=167–169 |language=en}}</ref> The formation of this committee undermined the influence of Manochahal who was criticized for his support for political participation and led to a divide between the armed groups within Punjab.


Manochahal was responsible for over 1,000 killings by the time of his death.<ref name="upi.com"/>
Elections resulted in a Congress Government under ] of the ]. Though he did not create a political outfit himself, he gave support to militant-supporting candidates from all parties contesting.<ref name=":3" /> He was opposed to Simranjit Singh Mann as well due to the previous associations of his candidates.<ref name=":3" /> He also met Akali candidates who boycotted the election like Sukhjinder Singh, Captain Kanwaljit Singh and Natha Singh Dalam but was disappointed, though the reason is unknown.<ref name=":3" />

The candidates he had given support to included Dilbag Singh Paleke of ], Gurchet Singh of Valtoha, Jagir Singh of ] and few others.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2013-06-24 |title=Despite facing charges under TADA, Paleke becomes first candidate to be elected from Tarn Taran |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19920229-despite-facing-charges-under-tada-paleke-becomes-first-candidate-to-be-elected-from-tarn-taran-765882-2013-06-24 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> ] ] son ] gave his full support to the Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan and even went on to state that it was his first party over the ], he gave shelter to Sukhwinder Singh Sangha's family and allowed Manochahal to hide in his house.<ref name=":4" /> His usage of the Bhindranwale-style of politics, shifting through parties to gain a favorable outcome outside politics, showed good favor- but the Sikh public dismissed him as the other two Panthic Committees led by Zaffarwal and Dr. Sohan Singh with their political allies, the ] and other parties, decided to boycott.

⚫ == Death ==
⚫ Manochahal carried a ] of {{INR}}30 ] on his head. He was killed in a fierce police encounter on 1 March 1993 by ]. Manochahal escaped from the police's dragnet on 27 February in Bagrian village before the police cornered him in the nearby Rataul village the following day.

The encounter began at 3:45 PM when Police search team were fired upon by Manochahal and others. The Police search team requested immediate assistance. Soon 2 ] led by 2 different ] and the Commanding officer of the ], ] arrived, SP Khubi Ram was the one who had been able to track Manochahal. In 30 minutes over 225 army and police personnel began to cordon the area.<ref name="indiatoday.in2" />

⚫ After defending himself for an hour with a machine gun, he was dead. The chief of the Punjab Police, ] later proclaimed, "Now I can say that we have finished militancy in Punjab."<ref>{{cite news |date=1 March 1993 |title=Indian police kill top Sikh guerilla |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-QwxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IOEFAAAAIBAJ&dq=bhindranwala%20tigers%20force%20of%20khalistan&pg=1778%2C127110 |newspaper=] |page=16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=1 March 1993 |title=Manochahal killed in encounter |newspaper=] |page=1}}</ref> Manochahal killed 12 officers including ] (Deputy inspector general) Ajit Singh during the encounter.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Punjab |first=Committee for Coordination on Disappearances in |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bVTMqlezIrwC&dq=gurbachan+singh+manochahal+rataul&pg=PA346 |title=Reduced to Ashes: The Insurgency and Human Rights in Punjab : Final Report |date=2003 |publisher=Sikh Students Federation |isbn=978-99933-53-57-7 |language=en}}</ref> Manochahal was responsible for over 1,000 killings by the time of his death.<ref name="upi.com2" />

Myths have spread over the years over what happened to Manochahal, his family states that he committed suicide, many of his supporters state that he was poisoned by his aide Sukhwant Sukha and the media said that he was shot dead.<ref name=":0" />


== Views == == Views ==
Manochahal had strong views on many issues. When asked about the size of the Sikh state he fights for Manochahal answered with, “Due to the foolishness of our leaders, the area over which the Sikhs once ruled has been allowed to shrink… What we do have in mind is the rule of Khalsa over the ] because our war is against the ]-] combine, which will not budge an inch without a struggle. We shall fight to the end.”<ref name=":3" /> Manochahal had strong views on many issues. When asked about the size of the Sikh state he fights for Manochahal answered with, “Due to the foolishness of our leaders, the area over which the Sikhs once ruled has been allowed to shrink… What we do have in mind is the rule of Khalsa over the ] because our war is against the ]-] combine, which will not budge an inch without a struggle. We shall fight to the end.”<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=We are in touch with militants in Assam and J&K: Gurbachan Singh Manochal |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/interview/story/19910915-we-are-in-touch-with-militants-in-assam-and-j-k-gurbachan-singh-manochal-814851-1991-09-14 |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=India Today |date=15 September 1991 |language=en}}</ref>

⚫ When asked about whether he was willing to negotiate for something less than ] Manochahal answered with, “Nothing short of Khalsa raj will be acceptable now. We shall negotiate only if Khalistan is on the agenda.”<ref name=":3" />

⚫ When asked what will happen to Sikhs outside lf Punjab and Hindus in Punjab Manochahal answered with, “Sikhs outside Punjab have been oblivious of our problems. Now I suggest that they set up a base in Punjab. It will be pragmatic, for some day they will have to shift here. We are not keen to expel or drive out Hindus from Punjab but they will have to reconcile to the existence of Khalistan.”<ref name=":3" />


⚫ When asked about whether he was willing to negotiate for something less than ] Manochahal answered with, “Nothing short of Khalsa raj will be acceptable now. We shall negotiate only if Khalistan is on the agenda.”<ref name=":0" />
⚫ Manochahal also pledged to die and not be arrested. Saying, “There is no going back now. My promise to the '']'' is that I shall never be caught alive."<ref name="indiatoday.in2" />


⚫ When asked what will happen to Sikhs outside lf Punjab and Hindus in Punjab Manochahal answered with, “Sikhs outside Punjab have been oblivious of our problems. Now I suggest that they set up a base in Punjab. It will be pragmatic, for some day they will have to shift here. We are not keen to expel or drive out Hindus from Punjab but they will have to reconcile to the existence of Khalistan.”<ref name=":0" />
"Though we have no faith in the Indian Constitution, we are still in favour of participating in elections. Even after seven years we have gained little international recognition. This we will get only by wresting political power. Without this our image will remain that of killers."<ref name=":3" />


⚫ Manochahal also pledged to die and not be arrested. Saying, “There is no going back now. My promise to the '']'' is that I shall never be caught alive."<ref name="indiatoday.in"/>
"If we get a majority and form a government we will pass a resolution for Khalistan. If we are not allowed to function we will say:' 'Kill us with bullets.<nowiki>''</nowiki> Can they do that to elected representatives?"<ref name=":3" />


==Bibliography== ==Bibliography==

Latest revision as of 02:03, 21 December 2024

Sikh leader (1954–1993)

BabaGurbachan Singh Manochahal
Jathedar of the Akal Takht
In office
24 June 1988 – 5 February 1993
Appointed bySarbat Khalsa
Acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht
In office
27 April 1986 – 26 January 1987
Preceded byGurdev Singh Kaunke
Succeeded byGurdev Singh Kaunke
1st Jathedar of Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan
In office
1984–1993
Preceded byPosition Established
Succeeded byBalwinder Singh
Personal details
BornGurbachan Singh
(1954-06-06)6 June 1954
Manochahal, Tarn Taran, Panjab
Died28 February 1993(1993-02-28) (aged 38)
Rataul, Tarn Taran, Panjab
Known forFounder of Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan
Signature

Gurbachan Singh Manochahal (6 June 1954 – 28 February 1993) was Jathedar of Akal Takhat Sahib who founded the Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan in 1984.

Early life

Gurbachan Singh was born on 6 June 1954 in a Chahal Jat Sikh family of village Manochahal, Tarn Taran district in the Indian state of Punjab to S. Atma Singh and Gurmej Kaur. He served in the Indian Army during his youth.

Manochahal was shot in the arm during the 1978 Sikh–Nirankari clashes. After this incident, he had maintained a relationship with Damdami Taksal and became acquainted with other members of the organization, such as Amrik Singh and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He soon became a close aid and associate of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Insurgency

On November 11, 1985 Manochahal was surrounded in his home, in Manochahal the village, by a group of 20 officers led by the head of Punjab Police operations, Superintendent of Police M.M. Seti. The police had surrounded Manochahal based on a tip revealed from an informent. Manochahal opened fire on the police killing 1 officer on the spot. Seti and the remaining 19 officers fled from the scene dropping their weapons. Manochahal collected their weapons and left the scene. Seti and all officers involved faced ridicule for fleeing the scene.

Manochahal was said to the head of Kharkus by police in the end of 1985. He would appoint specific Kharkus to led the actions and Kharku in certain districts. He appointed Dhana Singh to lead Gurdaspur, Manbir Singh to lead Jalandhar, and Jarnail Singh Halwara, the killer of Harcharand Singh Logowal, to lead Ludhiana and Patiala.

Manochahal led a resolution at the 1986 Sarbat Khalsa to declare the resolve of a separate Sikh homeland and also formed a Panthic committee which would lead Sikhs per this resolution.

He was appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht in April 1986 and resigned from the post in January 1987 in the “larger interest of the panth”.

In the early days of the insurgency Manochahal lived in a hideout in the swamps of the Mand areas. He created many huts there and a Gurdwara. It is said that even if Manochahal was in battle he would complete his daily prayers. On top of the standard Sikh daily prayers he did two hours of meditation on Waheguru and 5 Sukhmani Sahibs.

In 1987 Manochahal was removed from the Panthic Committee. He would later rejoin and be removed in May 1989. The reason was claimed to be for alleged looting, extortion, killing of innocents, and misuse of funds by him. Although the real reason was internal differences. Manochahal wanted 1 person to led instead of a 5 person Panthic Committee.

On June 14, 1987, BTFK claimed responsibility for the killing of 12 and injuring 20 in Delhi in a shooting. BTFK said, “'Killings squads have reached (New) Delhi and they will take revenge for the November 1984 anti-Sikh riots.” Surjit Singh Penta carried out the killings.

On July 30, 1987, BTKF claimed responsibility for an attack on Hans Raj Sethi, a BJP representative on the New Delhi City Council. He was shot dead with 6 bullets. He was considered a “father figure” for the BJP and RSS in Delhi. They next walked up to Sudarshan Munjal, a BJP member, in his driveway and killed him. Surjit Singh Penta carried out the killings.

On June 23, 1988, Manochahal was appointed as official Jathedar of Akal Takht. He will hold the position until February 5, 1993.

On the morning of June 25, 1989 KLF and BTFK members attacked Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members at their meeting at Nehru Park in Moga. 21 RSS members were killed with a police officer, a paramilitary home guard and a couple dying of a bomb blast after the shooting leaving a total of 25 dead and 31-35 injured. It has since been renamed to Shahidi Park meaning Martyr Park. According to police Sikhs opened fire with automatic weapons from a van killing 21 and injuring many. According to survivors bullets were sprayed on everyone. They then left the scene. Soon after a powerful bomb blast occurred which killed 4, injured more, and caused damage. A second bomb also blew up after, but it caused no damage or injuries. A curfew was announced immediately following the incident.

On March 2, 1990, KCF faction chief Gurjant Singh Rajasthani and BTFK chief Gurbachan Singh Manochahal claimed responsibility for killing Amritsar Jail Superintendent Pyara Lal. They claimed he tortured Sikhs in prison.

In April 1990 Manochahal with his BTFK, Khalistan Commando Force (Rajasthani), and Dashmesh Regiment (Matthewal) formed an alliance and created their own Panthic Committee.

In 1992, a separate Panthic committee headed by Dr. Sohan Singh was forme. It called for the boycott of the 1992 Punjab Legislative Assembly election. Manochahal argued they should contest in the election. He argued that it was the only time to get Khalistan and it was now or never .His demands for an election led others calling him a government puppet. He decided not to contest after Sikh leaders kept calling for a boycott. The formation of this committee undermined the influence of Manochahal who was criticized for his support for political participation and led to a divide between the armed groups within Punjab. Elections resulted in a Congress Government under Beant Singh of the Congress Party. The formation of this committee undermined the influence of Manochahal who was criticized for his support for political participation and led to a divide between the armed groups within Punjab.

To make Manochahal surrender himself police illegal detained many of his family members. Manochahal refused to surrender which led the detention, torture, and death of his family members.

Per Maloy Krishna Dhar, a former Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau, India, he was given the task to negotiate with Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. He contacted Manochahal through a journalist source, was blindfolded and taken a few hundred kilometres from Amritsar to meet with him where he secretly held negotiations for three hours before he was blindfolded again and transported back.

Death

Manochahal carried a bounty of ₹30 lakh on his head. He was killed in a fierce police encounter on 1 March 1993 by Punjab Police. Manochahal escaped from the police's dragnet on 27 February in Bagrian village before the police cornered him in the nearby Rataul village the following day.

The encounter began at 3:45 PM when Police search team were fired upon by Manochahal and others. The Police search team requested immediate assistance. Soon 2 quick reaction teams led by 2 different Majors and the Commanding officer of the Rashtriya Rifles, Colonel arrived. So did many other senior officers. In 30 minutes over 225 army and police personnel began to cordon the area. After defending himself for an hour with a machine gun, he was killed. The chief of the Punjab Police, Kanwar Pal Singh Gill later proclaimed, "Now I can say that we have finished militancy in Punjab." Manochahal killed 12 officers including DIG (Deputy inspector general) Ajit Singh.

Manochahal was responsible for over 1,000 killings by the time of his death.

Views

Manochahal had strong views on many issues. When asked about the size of the Sikh state he fights for Manochahal answered with, “Due to the foolishness of our leaders, the area over which the Sikhs once ruled has been allowed to shrink… What we do have in mind is the rule of Khalsa over the Delhi Takht because our war is against the Brahmin-Bania combine, which will not budge an inch without a struggle. We shall fight to the end.”

When asked about whether he was willing to negotiate for something less than Khalistan Manochahal answered with, “Nothing short of Khalsa raj will be acceptable now. We shall negotiate only if Khalistan is on the agenda.”

When asked what will happen to Sikhs outside lf Punjab and Hindus in Punjab Manochahal answered with, “Sikhs outside Punjab have been oblivious of our problems. Now I suggest that they set up a base in Punjab. It will be pragmatic, for some day they will have to shift here. We are not keen to expel or drive out Hindus from Punjab but they will have to reconcile to the existence of Khalistan.”

Manochahal also pledged to die and not be arrested. Saying, “There is no going back now. My promise to the Waheguru is that I shall never be caught alive."

Bibliography

  • Van Dyke, Virginia (2009), "The Khalistan Movement in Punjab, India, and the Post-Militancy Era: Structural Change and New Political Compulsions", Asian Survey, 49 (6): 975–997, doi:10.1525/as.2009.49.6.975

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