DEFUNCT SIKH BODY ‘CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY’ FOR DERA KILLING

LUDHIANA : In a letter received by various media houses in the region, the now-defunct Sikh Students Federation (SSF) has claimed responsibility for killing Dera Sacha Sauda followers Satpal, 65, and his son Ramesh, 35, at the Sirsa-based sect’s congregation centre in Jagera village near Khanna on February 25.

Sources in the police department said the letter, reportedly signed by one Jasmeet Singh, who calls himself the federation’s convener, seems to be fake. Police are trying to trace from where the letter originated.

In the letter, the organisation claims it had taken revenge for innocent Sikhs killed by dera followers in recent years. The senders also warn of taking revenge for desecration of Guru Granth Sahib in Punjab.

All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), meanwhile, denied having any link with the letter.

AISSF president Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad said the letter was an attempt to create fear and panic among people. He said there was only one organisation by the name of Sikh Students Federation, headed by Daljit Singh Bittu, during militancy in Punjab, but it had been dissolved. “There is no other organisation called Sikh Students Federation,” he said. He also strongly condemned the dera double murder.

Khanna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Satinder Singh said the department was verifying the authenticity of the letter. Though the police have not received the letter directly, they are not taking the development lightly, he said.

POLICE SOURCES SAY LETTER RECEIVED BY MEDIA HOUSES IN REGION SEEMS TO BE FAKE, VERIFYING AUTHENTICITY