NEW YORK: Dr. Naunihal Singh, Director Administration W.S.O. has addressed an appeal to Edwin Meese, the U.S. Attorney General requesting him to arrange for the release and bail for the five Sikhs detained in Bhajan Lal assassination plot. The context of the appeal is given below:
“We at the World Sikh Organization have been approached by various sections of the Sikh community residing in the U.S. of five Sikhs held in a Lousiana jail without trial over the last 23 months. I understand that these people are in jail in New Orleans since May 4, 1985. Those being held without benefit of bail or trial are: Dr. Gurpartap Singh Birk, Ph.D., Sukhwinder Singh, Virinder Singhl, Jasbir Singh Sandhu and Jatinder Singh Ahluwalia.
I am told that they were charged for an alleged plot to assassinate the Indian citizen, Mr. Bhajan Lal who had come here’ for an eye treatment. The community in the USS. feels disturbed over the issue because the Indian Consulate has not shown any interest in their wellbeing. Sikhs as an ethnic group are ata disadvantage in India because of State terrorism in Punjab and an expression of anger by these individuals was manifested at the time following the Golden Temple invasion, In the meantime communities here have been pondering over the ways to channel the energies of the young men and we have resolved that if these boys are released on bail the community here will take proper measures to guarantee their court appearances and may be able to help them. Similarly these individuals can prove to be useful citizens if they are mainstreamed into the Sikh community. I shall highly appreciate it if these boys are given proper recourse to bail and fair treatment. Awaiting your reply, remain very truly yours.”
Article extracted from this publication >> February 13, 1987
