Bargari Killings Reminded me of Jallianwala Bagh incident: Justice Katju

FARIDKOT : After completing the process of recording statements of witnesses of the Behbal Kalan killings on October 14 last year, former judge of the supreme court Markandey Katju today said the incident had reminded him of Jallianwala Bagh incident in 1919.
During the incident, the Police opened fire at unarmed Sikh Sangat who were demonstrating peacefully against sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib that happened nearby at Bargari village. The firing had caused death to two Sikh youth. In view of the inaction of the Punjab government, Punjab based human rights groups constituted a commission under the supervision of Justice Katju. The commission today crossed the first stage of it’s investigations of the incident.
While interacting with media persons, Katju said there were undeniable police excesses in the incident.
Katju said he was moreover shocked that the majority of the people mentioned even names of the particular police officials, who allegedly committed atrocities on the protesting Sikh Sangat. “Primary findings of the investigation suggest that the police’s role has been quite objectionable. There was no need to resort to the lathicharge and begin firing,” said Katju.Comparing the incident with that of Jallianwala Bagh incident, he said the only difference between the two incidents is that, in this incident, atrocities were committed by the state police. “Punjab police had adopted British colonial methods to deal with the Sikh protesters here”, he added. It is notable that despite the commission twice sending notices to the Punjab government and director general of police asking them to tell their side of story, the commission has not had any response so far.Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, chairman of the Sikhs for Human Rights, said commission’s report would be handed over to the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, which might file a public-interest petition on it’s basis.Former Punjab DGP (prisons) Shashi Kant, advocate Amar Singh Chahal, Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh were present on the occasion.