From Our Special Correspondent
Chandigarh: Preparations for the convention on December 2829 in memory of the Martyrs by the All India Sikh Students Federation and Damdami Taksaal are in full swing at Chowk Mehta near Amritsar, Official circles estimate that over hundred thousand followers of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale are expected to join the convention. Families of Sikh martyrs will be honored on this occasion. According to the reports, to press for the release of Sikh youths and Army deserters, announcement for launching an action program by United Akali Dal, AISSF and Damdami Taksaal is also expected.
In view of this convention, the State government is making elaborate security arrangements. In a statement issued from Amritsar the AISSF Acting President, Mr. Harinder Singh Kahlon, has charged that Sikh youths continue to be persecuted even after the assuming of power by Akalis. He claimed that during the last few months, more than two hundred Sikh young men have been arrested on various trumped Up Cie” rges. He further said that only 200 odd Sikhs have been released out of 2.500 recommendations made by the Bains Committee for the release of detained Sikhs. Mr. Kahion also charged that despite a5surances of the Akali Dal leaders, Sikh Army deserters are being sentenced to long prison terms. He said that S. Surjit Singh Barnala was creating problems for the release of S. Simranjit Singh Mann. He accused Financed Minister Balwant Singh and SGPC President Mr. Tohra of pressuring the Central Government against the release of Mr. Mann on the plea that his release at this juncture will create problems for the Akali government. It is reliably learnt that two leaders of United Akali Dal, S. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and S. Ujaggar Singh Sekwan, have been sent to Bombay to pursue the case of Mr. Mann. The Bombay police have taken remand Mr. Mann up to December 24. He was reportedly taken to Patma in Bihar also for interrogation.
From Our Special Correspondent
Chandigarh: Preparations for the convention on December 2829 in memory of the Martyrs by the All India Sikh Students Federation and Damdami Taksaal are in full swing at Chowk Mehta near Amritsar, Official circles estimate that over hundred thousand followers of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale are expected to join the convention. Families of Sikh martyrs will be honored on this occasion. According to the reports, to press for the release of Sikh youths and Army deserters, announcement for launching an action program by United Akali Dal, AISSF and Damdami Taksaal is also expected.
In view of this convention, the State government is making elaborate security arrangements. In a statement issued from Amritsar the AISSF Acting President, Mr. Harinder Singh Kahlon, has charged that Sikh youths continue to be persecuted even after the assuming of power by Akalis. He claimed that during the last few months, more than two hundred Sikh young men have been arrested on various trumped Up Cie” rges. He further said that only 200 odd Sikhs have been released out of 2.500 recommendations made by the Bains Committee for the release of detained Sikhs. Mr. Kahion also charged that despite a5surances of the Akali Dal leaders, Sikh Army deserters are being sentenced to long prison terms. He said that S. Surjit Singh Barnala was creating problems for the release of S. Simranjit Singh Mann. He accused Financed Minister Balwant Singh and SGPC President Mr. Tohra of pressuring the Central Government against the release of Mr. Mann on the plea that his release at this juncture will create problems for the Akali government. It is reliably learnt that two leaders of United Akali Dal, S. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and S. Ujaggar Singh Sekwan, have been sent to Bombay to pursue the case of Mr. Mann. The Bombay police have taken remand Mr. Mann up to December 24. He was reportedly taken to Patma in Bihar also for interrogation.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 27, 1985
