CHANDIGARH: The Akali Dal (Mann) will oppose the deployment of the army in Punjab, This was disclosed by the party president, Simranjt Singh Mann, in a meeting with his office bearers recently a his native Talanian village in Patiala district
The meeting took strong note of the demand made by the Pradesh Congress (I) president, Beant Singh, for army deployment and said the Congress (I) was trying to launch a mass contact campaign with ‘army help. The army is supposed to defend the frontiers or to be deployed during natural calamities and not for helping any political party.
The meeting urged the Government to withdraw security forces from around the Golden Temple complex.
On the issue of Ram janmabhoomi- Babri Masjid dispute, the party reiterated its stand that the Sikhs would oppose the demolition of the Mosque and would extend all support to the Muslims in this cause.
Ram Singh said the party working committee would meet soon to discuss the increasing state repression.
Referring to the “black underwear” gangs, the party alleged it was part of the conspiracy of the State Government.
The party called upon the people to arm themselves to fight such gangs and expose the conspiracy.
The party condemned the police action in suppressing the agitating workers of JOT electronics, Mohali and appealed to the ‘workers to unite to fight for their rights. The party said the Government was not allowing the workers to exercise their Constitutional rights to agitate to get their demands accepted.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 1, 1991
