JALANDHAR: Mr Simranjit Singh Mann president of the Akali Dal was detained outside the local Lyallpur Khalsa College where he was going to address a meeting of the Sikh Students Federation.
A contingent of the police posted outside the college prevented Mr Mann from entering the institution and brought him to the Circuit House in police bus He was detained under Sections 107 and 151 Cr PC Mr Surjan Singh Thekedar Mr SarupSingh Master Amrik Singh and Mr Satnam Singh party leaders were also detained in the Circuit House along with Mr Mann.
Mr Mann was also scheduled to inaugurate the party office in the city and speak at the bhog ceremony of Hardeep Singh alias Vicky a militant who was killed in a police “encounter” in the Neela Mahal area of the city.
Mr Suresh Arora SSP said Mr Mann had not been arrested but detained in apprehension of a breach of the peace
Commenting on his detention which he described as “arrest” Mr Mann told newsmen at the Circuit House that it amounted to religious discrimination against the Sikhs. He claimed that while Hindus were allowed to hold functions to mourn deaths Sikhs were denied permission for such functions. In this connection he cited the example of Shaheed Parivar Fund functions where leader of various political parties spoke. The platform was used to launch “anti-Sikh propaganda”.
Mr Mann said such discrimination against the Sikhs would lead to the setting up of an independent sovereign state. He called upon all Sikh leaders to take a clear stand for achieving a sovereign state for the Sikhs.
He asked the Sikhs to come prepared for “liberty or death” at Talwandi Sabo on Baisakhi Day when an Akali convention would be held. He urged all Sikh organisations and militants to unite to achieve the goal.
Replying to a question about the method to achieve the goal Mr Mann said peaceful means would be adopted. They would also approach the USA and its allies who liberated Kuwait to help create an independent Sikh state which would act as a buffer between India and Pakistan.
Asked to comment on the extension of President’s rule in Punjab Mr Mann said Sikh leaders should have been invited by the government before taking a decision.
Around 3:45 p.m. Mr Mann was allowed to go from the Circuit House by the police He drove to Shaheed Pheruman Gurdwara where he inaugurated his party’s office.
The bhog ceremony of Vicky was performed in Basti Danishmandan. Some Akali leaders and others addressed the gathering.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 29, 1991
