CHANDIGARH India: Former Punjab Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal and former S.GP.C. Chief S. Gurcharan Singh Tohra was released by the Delhi Metropolitan Magistrate on the expiry of their judicial remand. They were arrested on August 9 for violating the orders served by Delhi police prohibiting their entry into Delhi. They were produced in the court on September 10 under tight security arrangements.
Both leaders rejected the charges against them and refused to Contest the case they said that the police action in arresting them was unconstitutional and illegal and it reflects the intentions of the Central government. They charged that Mr. Tohra was arrested to prevent him from speaking in the parliament against the Security Belt.
Mr. Badal said that they wanted to meet the families of those who were killed in retaliation to the killing of bus passengers near Muktsar. But they were not allowed to Visit those areas which was a clear violation of their basic rights
After the release the two leaders met the families of the victims. They gave five thousand rupees to each of the five families. Four of the victims were Sikhs and the fifth one was a non-Sikh.
Talking to the press reporters Mr. Badal said that they would continue their struggle for the rights of the Sikhs and the Punjab State He appealed to other organizations to join them in this struggle. He said there was need for a united front for securing legitimate rights of the Sikhs.
Referring to United Akali Dal and AISS.F he said that they were willing to follow if one of these organizations wants to take up the lead.
Mr. Badal identified three major issues that need to be immediately settled: release of Sikhs detained in Jodhpur jail rehabilitation of army deserters and stoppage of fake encounters in which innocent Sikhs are being killed.
He said some other outstanding issues relating to Punjab call for a struggle. He said that Barnala government has buried the Punjab accord and also wasted the sacrifices made by the Sikhs. He rejected the Punjab government report on fake encounters as false. He said that 14 Sikh young men were murdered by the B.S.F in consultation with the Punjab government.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 19, 1986
