Balwant had been staying away from family for 17 years
AMRITSAR: Balwant Singh alias Nihang, 45, one of the four members of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) arrested on Sunday, had been living away from his family for the past 17 years.
Balwant is a resident of Mohanpura Warring village that falls under Khadoor Sahib subdivision of Tarn Taran district.
“Balwant married to Rajwinder Kaur around 21 years ago. The couple has a daughter, Aman Kaur, 20, who is a student of BSC nursing. When Aman was three-year-old her mother died. Since the death of his wife, Balwant had been working with a Nihang organisation Dal Baba Bidhi Chand in Sursingh village of Tarn Taran,” said Balwant’s father Milkha Singh.
He said, “Balwant had been visiting home around once in six months. His daughter is being nurtured by the family of his younger brother Sukhdev Singh, 40.”
Sukhdev’s wife Rajwinder Kaur said, “My husband is living in Gujarat and running a Dhaba there. Balwant Singh had been working as a caretaker of deras of the Sursingh Nihang organisation. Recently, he was in-charge of a dera in Tanda town of Hoshiarpur.”
Balwant’s uncle Alam Singh said, “On September 20, Balwant and Sukhdev had visited home for paying obeisance on the occasion of Gurta Gaddi Divas of Guru Angad Dev ji in Khadoor Sahib. After paying obeisance, Balwant left home while Sukhdev was here.
On September 21, a police team reached our home and asked about Balwant. We told them that Balwant was not here and they took Sukhdev along with them. They also searched our home. Sukhdev was released by the police later on.”
Fateh Singh, another uncle of Balwant, said, “Around two years ago, Balwant was arrested after police recovered a pistol from him. After spending six months in jail, he was out on bail.”
He said, “Balwant never told us about his activities. He only used to come here once or twice a year. After arresting Balwant on Sunday, a police team again visited the house in the village and made a search.”
According to police, Balwant is also a member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and was earlier arrested in a case registered under the Arms Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) at Mukandpur police station in SBS Nagar district. He was out on bail.