Dal Singh Ji,
Gurfateh.
Those were INDIVIDUALS acting on their own.
As I said the SIKH NATION only had one opportunity to dish out DP under ADMIN AUTHORITY..and that was in Ranjit Singhs time.
Mass was assasinated by two sikhs..just like indira was. There was no Admin Authority.trial by judge etc or passing of gurmatta etc to show the entire kaum wanted that.
PK70 Ji has given an excellent example of Guru Gobind Singh Ji...and the SGGS DOESNT SANCTION this Death Penalty as well.
Fair point Gyani ji. Maybe they are the actions of anakhi jodhay acting on their own. That being said, from the oral traditions I have heard (re: Massa Ranghar), Sukha and Mehtab Singh made what they intended to do, public to their sangat before going on the mission.
But I think we need to look at this incident from a perspective of guerilla warfare. Sikhs were embroilled in a battle which was aimed at their destruction, so they targetted leaders of the people against them. If you notice, they directly target the people who give the orders against them. Thsi is better than randomly slaying affiliated people, or the general public. It's like someone Jewish killing Hitler I guess?
Whilst we are on the topic, material on the above is contained in volume II of the translation of Panth Prakash. I have been in contact with the IOSS, who gave it to the SGPC to publish. Can you believe the SGPC have been sitting on it for nearly 3 years now!!! Talk about efficiency......