How militancy in Punjab is on the brink of revival

Though no direct role of Sikh terrorist groups has been found initially in Gurdaspur terror attack there have been three important developments - the confessions of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Jagtar Singh Tara that he along with LeT had planned a similar strike in Pathankot, the recovery of mortar shell with Indian markings and a written threat to kill seven Punjab Shiv Sena leaders immediately after the terror strike by the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) has given rise to the speculations that the incident may be a joint attempt by the LeT and Sikh militant groups to revive militancy in Punjab.

However, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and former Punjab DGP KPS Gill both have said that the Sikh militant outfits do not have enough strength to revive militancy in the state. "Militancy could not succeed until the people of a region support it. The people of Punjab outrightly oppose terrorism. This is the reason it cannot raise its ugly head here," Parkash Singh Badal said.

KPS Gill who visited Chandigarh after the Gurdaspur attack also said that reviving terrorism in Punjab will not be easy.

"Anyone who has been convicted for capital punishment should be sent to the gallows. I have seen life returning to track after the end of terrorism in Punjab. Punjab's people have rejected terrorism," Gill said. Badal and Gill may say that reviving militancy in Punjab is not possible but the fact is the hardliners are taking it easy. They still claim they will get Khalistan out of India by 2020. The demand to get the 65 convicted Sikhs facing serious charges under TADA is part of the "referendum" being sought by the separatists.

However, the demand to release the convicted Khalistan terrorists has put Punjab politics on a boil. A stand-off between hard-line Sikh organisations and the Punjab government is expected, as the hardliners who have been demanding the release of 65 convicts have upped the ante against the state government on the issue.

The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders, which had ensured hardliners that they will pave the way for the release of former terrorists, have been left high and dry by a Supreme Court order which says that those facing charges under TADA cannot be granted clemency. As facts say out of the 65 convicts only two can be released in near future as they have completed their minimum sentences. CM Badal has informed the hardliners that as per law, only two can be released but the pro-Khalistan groups are not ready to accept this.

Vote bank politics is regaining its head in Punjab as the Assembly elections draw near. Despite the clear directions of country's intelligence agencies that mass transfer or release of convicted Khalistan terrorists can fan the anti-national wave, Punjab's politicians and hardliners continue to raise the demand.

Accusing the Punjab CM of raking up Khalistan agenda, former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has also joined the chorus now. He has announced his support to Surat Singh Khalsa, a Hassanpur resident who was on a hunger strike for six months before being forcibly lifted by the Punjab Police last week as his condition worsened.

"Surat Singh Khalsa's demand was totally justified since it is against the law and the Constitution to keep somebody behind bars when he has completed his sentence," Amarinder said.

The AAP's Sangrur MP Bhagwant Singh Mann had also raised the matter under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha on releasing the prisoners from jails who have completed their jail term in Punjab. The truth is that so far only four convicted Khalistan terrorists were hanged.

The sad part is that the Khalistan terrorists who mercilessly killed hundreds were termed as martyrs. They are honoured by the SGPC every year and a memorial has been built in their name.