CHANDIGARH: The recommendation of the high powered committee set up by the union government last year to review the cases Of those detained in Jodhpur Jail have not been conveyed to the Punjab Government, Talking to newsmen the state Finance Minister Mr. Balwant Singh said that there was an unwritten understanding between Sant Harchand Singh Longowal and Rajiv Gandhi at the time of signing of July 24 accord that committee was to include a representative of Akali Dal. The Union government, however, did not include any Akali nominee. Although the Panel of three names comprising Justice R.S. Narula, Justice A’S. Bains, and Mr. Gurdarshan Singh Grewal was sent to them. Instead the Central Government insisted and appointed Gopal Singh Lt. Governor of Goa as. Chairman of the committee. The committee reportedly submitted its findings some time ago. But Mr. Balwant Singh said that the state government has not been informed of any decision or report by the Central Government. When asked whether a similar committee ‘was to be constituted to review the cases of Sikh soldiers who deserted their units following the operation. Blue Star, Mr. Balwant Singh replied in the negative but added that government had agreed to reinstate all such soldiers.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 18, 1986
