Jammu- Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Singh Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, during his visit to Jammu today, reached the residence of BSF Sikh jawan Jaswinder Singh, who was tortured to death in Amritsar while in the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recently. He listened to the family’s account and assured them that the entire Khalsa Panth stands with them in their fight for justice.
Addressing the Sangat during a religious event at Mahlowal in the RS Pura area of Jammu, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj asked the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the state government to ensure justice for Jaswinder Singh’s family. He stated that Jaswinder Singh was brutally tortured in NCB custody, leading to his death.
He further said that the family has observed clear marks of severe torture on the body of the deceased, and evidence to this effect also exists; therefore, strict action must be taken in the matter. He said that a case be registered against the responsible NCB officials and that they be given stringent punishment.
He said that if Jaswinder Singh had committed any offence, there are laws and courts in the country to deal with such matters, and he should have been punished as per law—not killed through torture. He added that the NCB acting as judge itself, torturing a Sikh jawan and killing a mother’s son, cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
He further stated that Jaswinder Singh was currently serving with the BSF on duty at the Bangladesh border, and at the time he was picked up by the NCB, he had come home on leave. He termed it extremely unfortunate that even a Sikh jawan guarding the nation’s borders is not safe.
He said the government should clarify its position in the entire matter and take strict action against the guilty NCB officials.
The Jathedar also appealed to the Sikh community in Jammu to unite and raise their voice on such issues, warning that if such an incident has happened to Jaswinder Singh today, it could happen to someone else tomorrow.
He further said that if the government fails to act against the accused NCB officials, the entire Khalsa Panth will raise its voice in this matter. He also termed it unfortunate that no political leader from the Jammu region has so far raised their voice to ensure justice for the victim’s family.
Among those present were DGPC Jammu president Ranjit Singh Tohra, Secretariat in-charge of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Bagicha Singh, personal assistant to Jathedar Baldev Singh, DGPC Jammu joint secretary Ranvir Singh, in-charge of Dharam Parchar DGPC Jammu Gurmeet Singh, Ravinder Singh, Swaran Singh, Jatinder Singh and others.