Current information on a specific treatment awarded to the non-militant Sikh population inside or outside the Punjab by an institution or group could not be found among the available sources to the IRBDC. However, the following information refers to cases in which non-militant Sikhs have been subjected to or victims of violence.
Reuters refers to an Asia Watch report on the abuse of human rights in the Punjab by both the Indian security forces and militant Sikhs (25 Aug. 1991, 1). The report states that the Indian security forces "routinely assault and threaten civilians" during house-to-house searches and have killed "civilians and suspected militants" in staged encounters (Ibid.). Asia Watch also reportedly states that Sikh militants have "killed, kidnapped and assaulted civilians and murdered political leaders" (Ibid.).
Reuters also reports that a Sikh family of seven were massacred in the Punjab by the Indian police who were "avenging the deaths of their colleagues, relatives say. Killed in crossfire in a shootout with militants, according to police" (24 Dec. 1991, 1).
Agence France Presse quotes The Times of India on the killing of ten Sikh men by the Indian police force in the State of Uttar Pradesh (18 July 1991). According to the Indian newspaper, these men were pilgrims and not Sikh militants (Ibid.).
The Associated Press cites a Sikh politician's assessment of the role of the Indian army in the Punjab (2 Mar. 1991, 1). The politician accuses the Indian army of killing innocent Sikhs in the Punjab (Ibid.).
Agence France Presse reports the abduction and subsequent murder of an 18-year-old Sikh woman by unspecified militant Sikhs in the Punjab (20 Sept. 1991).
The United Press International reports the abduction of five Sikh female college students in Kashmir by an unspecified Muslim militant group (19 Jan. 1992). The source adds that the incident may be a "new tactic by some Muslim militants to pressure Sikhs into leaving the region" (Ibid.).
Attached please find eight articles on the alleged Sikh-militant violence or threat of violence against those Sikhs who do not support their cause for an independent state.
Additional information on the subject is currently unavailable to the IRBDC.
Bibliography

Agence France Press. 20 September 1991. "Violence Leaves 16 Dead in Punjab." (NEXIS)

. 18 July 1991. "Ten Sikhs Killed by Police Were Pilgrims, not Militants: Daily."

The Associated Press. 2 March 1991. "Sikh Political Party for 'Complete Freedom' from India." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 24 December 1991. "Civilians Trapped Between Police and Militants in Punjab." (NEXIS)

. 25 August 1991. "Asia Watch Accuses India of Summary Executions in Punjab." (NEXIS)

The United Press International. 19 January 1992. "Five Sikh Women Reportedly Abducted by Muslim Militants." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Agence France Press. 17 February 1992. "Campaigning Ends in Punjab," pp. 1, 2. (NEXIS)

. 15 February 1992. "Army Steps up Vigilance Ahead of Punjab polls." (NEXIS)

. 1 November 1991. "32 Killed in Punjab, Sikh Militants Massacre Three Families." (NEXIS)

.20 September 1991. "Violence Leaves 16 Dead in Punjab." (NEXIS)

. 25 July 1991. "Sikh Woman Candidate Among 19 Killed in Punjab." (NEXIS)

. 22 July 1991. "Seven Family Members Among 16 Killed in Punjab." (NEXIS)

. 18 July 1991. "Ten Sikhs Killed by Police Were Pilgrims, not Militants: Daily."

The Associated Press. 25 August 1991. "Sikh Militants Kill Hindu Family." (NEXIS)

. 2 March 1991. "Sikh Political Party for 'Complete Freedom' from India," pp. 1, 2. (NEXIS)

The Christian Science Monitor. 10 July 1991. "In India's Punjab, Sikh Separatists Lay Down the Laws," pp. 1,2. (NEXIS)

Reuters. 24 December 1991. "Civilians Trapped between Police and Militants in Punjab," pp. 1, 2. (NEXIS)

. 25 August 1991. "Asia Watch Accuses India of Summary Executions in Punjab," pp. 1, 2. (NEXIS)

The United Press International. 18 February 1992. "Anti-Voting Strike Grips on Eve of State Elections," pp. 1-3. (NEXIS)

. 17 February 1992. "Punjab Villages Tense on last Day of Election Campaign," pp. 1-3.

. 19 January 1992. "Five Sikh Women Reportedly Abducted by Muslim Militants." (NEXIS)