CHANDHIGARH, India: Justice Ajit Singh Bains a former judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court and Chairman of Punjab Human Rights organization has welcomed the Haryana Chief Minister’s suggestion for an” early poll in Punjab and bilateral talks between the two governments of Punjab and Haryana to sort out inter-state disputes.
Addressing a news conference, he described Devi Lal’s suggestion as positive. He agreed with Devi Lal’s observation that fresh elections in Punjab might throw up a truly representative leadership with which negotiations could be held to sort out the pending issue.
The present Union government has lost all credibility, he said. It has not implemented a single clause of the accord. Moreover no self-respecting Sikh would think of talking to this government. He, however, pleaded for a political solution to the problem saying bullets will not solve any problem.
Fake encounters and State terrorism must end. He claims that he had evidence that innocent persons were being killed by the security forces. Asked if RajivLongowal accord was not a political settlement, the former judge said that the accord was a fraud. Nevertheless he wanted the accord to be implemented. A reporter drew his attention to his remark that no self-respecting Sikh would be drawn to the talks, he stated that was the situation at the present.
Union government could have declared general amnesty and ordered release of detainees at Jodhpur and other places. The situation in Punjab is worsening. Since the Punjab accord was not implemented, the Sikhs are getting irritated more and more. He came heavily on C.P.I. for organizing peace marches. The party’s appeal evoked no response from the people. The masses were angry with the government because of State terrorism. If C.P_I. was really interested in the State of Punjab the party should go to Delhi of ask Union government to stop fake encounters.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 10, 1987
