Gurdev Singh Debu
Gurdev Singh Debu (or "Area Commander Gurdev Singh Debu") was a former president of area of Kartarpur of AISSF who joined Khalistan Commando Force as an area commander under the leadership of Manbir Singh Chaheru after Operation Blue Star.
He started working with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale after “April 13, 1978 Nirankari confrontation” when thirteen Sikhs of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha were murdered. He was known to be a very close associate of Bhai Amrik Singh. He participated in a peaceful agitation called “Dharam Yudh Morcha”, originally launched in August 1982 by Harcharan Singh Longowal. He also attended a Sikh Camp (December 26 to 31, 1983) to get a certification in Sikh religious education.
The 1984 Indian army attack on Golden Temple, famously known as Operation Blue Star changed his future life. His initial response was his participation in attacking government properties in the countryside. He joined Mr. Manbir Singh Chaheru, Mr. Mathra Singh and Mr. Tarsem Singh Kuhaar and their other companions in establishing origional Khalistan Commando Force. He was made one of the area commanders of this organization. He participated in several battles with Indian Government forces afterwards. He also protected Hindu families and provided them financial help under his area of command so that they do not have to move out of the state.
Arrest, Torture and Murder
In the month of June 1987, in an under-cover operation, Punjab Police was able to arrest him after making him unconscious with sedative laced milk. He was ruthlessly tortured to gather information about KCF, He was first beaten, and his bones were broken and twisted. Next, his legs were cut open and hot chilies were thrust in. Mr Singh’s body was then pierced by red hot iron rods. The police went so frustrated with his silence that they cut out one of his eye at this stage. On Friday July 3, 1987, to extract at least some secret information, Punjab police put him in a boiled tub of water where he was ‘’’boiled to death’’’ and claimed that he was killed in a police encounter [1][2].
His mutilated body was handed over to local villagers when they surrounded the police station with their tractors, trolleys and buses and demanded they be given the body to cremate.
Aftermath
It has been reported that his entire family was illegally arrested and interrogated afterwards.
Early Life
Gurdev Singh Debu was born on July 15, 1961 in village Dheerpur, Jallandhar. His parents were Mrs Gian Kaur and father Mr. Gurbachan Singh Sekhon. He belonged to a farmer family. Gurdev Singh completed his primary education in his native village Dheerpur and attended high school in nearby village Dialpur. After this, he began to work on motors and became known as an expert. He was married to Bibi Balvinder Kaur. He had one daughter and one son from this marriage [3].
Monument
A memorial structure in his memory exists in the form of Sikh Religious Flag called “Nishan Sahib” at the entrance to his village,i.e. Dheerpur from Hamira side. A big Sikh religious fair, called "Jor-Mela" is held on his death anniversary on every 3rd of July [4]
