Gurbachan Singh Manochahal
| Honorable Jathedar Gurbachan Singh Manochahal | |
|---|---|
|
ਮਾਣਯੋਗ ਜਥੇਦਾਰ ਗੁਰਬਚਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਾਨੋਚਾਹਲ | |
| Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht | |
|
In office April 27, 1986 – January 26, 1987. | |
| Preceded by | Gurdev Singh Kaunke |
| Succeeded by | Darshan Singh |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gurbachan Singh 6 June 1954 Manochahal, Tarn Taran, Panjab |
| Died |
27 February 1993 (aged 38) Rataul, Tarn Taran, Panjab |
| Spouse(s) | Dalbir Kaur |
| Mother | Gurmej Kaur |
| Father | Atma Singh |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Sikh Nation |
| Service/branch | Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan |
| Rank | Jathedar |
Gurbachan Singh Manochahal (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਬਚਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਾਨੋਚਾਹਲ , Shahmukhī: گربچن سنگھ مانوچاہل), was a Punjabi Sikh nationalist leader[1] who founded the Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan in 1984[2] and served as the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht from April 1986 to January 1987.
Early life
Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal was born on June 6, 1954 at village Manochahal in Tarn Taran district in Punjab to Atma Singh and Gurmej Kaur. His uncle had died in the Jaito Morcha agitation against the British Raj.
In 1978, Manochahal was shot in the arm during the clash between Sikhs and the Nirankari, which led to the death of 13 Sikhs. Baba Manochahal maintained a relationship with Damdami Taksal and became acquainted with other members of the organization, such as Amrik Singh and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Leadership
Shortly after Operation Blue Star, Manochahal conspired with other individuals linked to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale to form armed groups which resulted in the formation of the BTFK headed by Manochahal himself and the Khalistan Commando Force headed by Manbir Singh Chaheru. In 1986, Manochahal led a resolution at the 1986 Sarbat Khalsa to declare the resolve of a separate Sikh homeland called Khalistan and also formed a Panthic committee which would lead Sikhs per this resolution.
In 1992, a separate Panthic committee headed by Dr. Sohan Singh was formed. It was supported by Babbar Khalsa. It called for the boycott of the Punjab elections held in 1992. It was due to this election boycott that only 8% people participated in the elections and resulted in a Congress Government under Beant Singh of the Congress Party. The formation of this committee undermined the influence of Manochahal who was criticized for his support for political participation and led to a divide between the armed groups within Punjab.
Per Maloy Krishna Dhar, a former Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau, India, he was given the task to negotiate with Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. He contacted Manochahal through a journalist source, was blindfolded and taken a few hundred kilometres from Amritsar to meet with him where he secretly held negotiations for three hours before he was blindfolded again and transported back.[3]
Per India Today, Prime Minister of India, Mr Rajiv Gandhi perceived a serious threat from Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. Mr Gandhi even insisted on being personally briefed on Manochahal's interrogation on a daily basis when he was caught by security forces.[4]
Death
On 27 February 1993, Manochahal was killed in a police encounter.[5]
References
- ↑ Terrorism in Punjab. Gyan Books. 1 Jan 2000. p. 412 pages.
|first1=missing|last1=in Authors list (help) - ↑ Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (1996). Fighting for Faith and Nation. Series in Contemporary Ethnography. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 159ff. ISBN 9780812215922.
- ↑ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Old-men-and-their-Official-secrets/articleshow/1951335.cms
- ↑ http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-40th-anniversary-the-rajiv-gandhi-years-shekhar-gupta/1/543076.html
- ↑ "Indian police kill top Sikh guerilla". The Daily Gazette. 1 March 1993.