a265  1707  19 Apr 87
AM-India-Sikh,0286
Swiss Man Among 11 Reported Killed by Sikhs
By H.S. NANDA
Associated Press Writer
    CHANDIGARH, India (AP) - A young Swiss man recently married to a
Sikh woman was among 11 people killed by suspected Sikh terrorists in
a wave of violence reported by police Sunday.
    The death of Ronaldo Vallarsa, 21, was the first reported slaying of
a foreigner during the six years that Sikh militants have fought for
a separate homeland or greater autonomy, police in the northern
Punjab state said.
    Details of the other killings, all in the past day, were not
immediately available, but police said the victims included four
members of a Hindu family and a Hindu priest.
    The latest occurred Sunday night when armed fundamentalists fatally
shot the owner of a liquor store, according to the United News of
Inda.
    The slayings raised the year's terrorist death toll to at least 272.
    Vallarsa was married by Sikh rites in February over protests of Sikh
militants who said a Sikh woman should not be allowed to marry a
clean-shaven man. Hindus, whom Sikh extremists see as their
oppressors, are often clean-shaven.
    Swiss Ambassador Jean Cuendet in New Delhi confirmed that Vallarsa,
from eastern Switzerland, was fatally shot by six Sikh gunmen
Saturday night at the home of his in-laws.
    The assailants first demanded jewelry and gold ornaments, then
forced their way in and killed Vallarsa, police said. His wife, who
was not identified, escaped unhurt.
    Vallarsa was planning to be married in a civil ceremony that would
be recognized by Swiss law, the embassy said. Vallarsa had worked
with his wife's brother in Switzerland, but his occupation was not
given.
    
 
 
AP-NY-04-19-87 2007EDT
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