Sikhs Kill 36 in Wake of 2 Executions
Sikhs waging a separatist war in Punjab killed 36 people, hanging four in revenge for the executions of two Sikhs convicted in the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, police said Thursday.
The latest deaths bring the number of people killed in Punjab so far this year to more than 90. At least 2,400 people were killed in 1988.
The two Sikhs, Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh, were hanged Jan. 6 in New Delhi for the murder of Gandhi, who was shot down Oct. 31, 1984, by Sikh members of her personal bodyguard.
Police superintendent Govind Ram said the headman of Bhujiawali village and his three brothers, all Hindus, were kidnaped Wednesday night by five Sikhs and found hanging from trees the next morning. He said a note claimed responsibility for a Sikh militia.
Others killed Thursday were a Hindu couple and their two daughters and another Hindu couple; Sikh farmer Fakir Singh, his son and nephew, and seven others killed in separate attacks.
Police in Chandigarh, the state capital, said 16 more people were reported killed Wednesday night.
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