LUDHIANA: The protest march by the Akali Dal (M) chief, Mr. Simranjit Singh Mann, received a big response from people on the second day.
The march is in protest against “police excesses” an. °“failure” of the constitution’ vinery in Punjab.
Mr. Mann addressed a series of meetings in Jagraon subdivision. These were well attended.
A sum of Rs 2 lakh was collected on the first day of his march in the district.
Addressing gatherings at Manuke village and Raikot. Mr. Mann sought the cooperation of Hindus in the present Sikh struggle. He said the struggle of the Akali Dal (Mann) was not against any community. Its fight was against injustice and “state repression let loose on the Sikhs.”
He condemned lootings and extortions. He alleged that the government had “planned to liquidate” Sikh youths through the recruitment of a task force of 10,000 in the border areas.
Mr. Mann assailed the Centre for appointing Mr. Arun Singh chairman of the Defence Committee as he was responsible for the planning of Operation Blue star.
Mr. Mann warned the CPI, the CPM, the BJP and the Congress I not to oppose the entry of Amnesty International in Punjab.
Mr. Mann said his party would welcome all those Akali leaders who joined their fold by adopting the ideology of the party, accepted Baba Thakar Singh as leader of the Sikhs and extended support to the militants.
He asked the government to release Sukha and Jinda forthwith.
The Sikh Youth Front (International) extended support to the march.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 24, 1990
