Amritsar, April 20:“I stand by every word of my book,” said 34-year-old Sandeep Kaur, author of the Punjabi book Bikhra Peinda that delves into the lives of Khalistani terrorists. The book has created a controversy here. “My book mentions that I heard Babbar Khalsa terrorists talking of taking shelter at Rajinder Kaur Bhattal's house,” said Sandeep who runs a school for the children of militants at Sultanwind on the outskirts of the city. “I am ready to record my statement and am also ready to face any inquiry,” she said, adding, “My aim is not to tarnish anyone’s image.”

At 16, Sandeep married Babbar Khalsa militant Dharam Singh Kashtiwal. She was arrested from near Khalsa College here in 1992 and was jailed for four years.

Her book says when police arrested Babbar Khalsa militant Madha Singh from Indore, to get him released, terrorists kidnapped family members of influential people. “Bhattal’s relatives were also picked up, but they were released after the terrorists learnt that some militants were hiding in Bhattal's house,” said Sandeep. Bhattal is now PPCC chief.

After her husband was killed in an encounter, Sandeep married a writer, also named Dharam Singh. The book is based on her personal experiences, she claimed and said that she had often heard of Babbar militants talking about their “shelter” in Sangrur district — a house that belonged to Bhattal. Bhattal has vehemently denied the allegations and said the book is “motivated” and based on “ill-informed sources”. Bhattal has added that she belongs to a family of freedom fighters and has fought anti-national forces all her life.

On the other hand, her bete noire Captain Amarinder Singh, busy at a roadshow in Beas on Sunday, demanded a high-level probe into the allegations. “She is the leader of my party and the allegations regarding her links with terrorists are upsetting. There should be an inquiry by the Intelligence Bureau. These allegations can’t be taken lightly and the high command must act tough against Bhattal,” Singh said.

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