AMRITSAR: Akali Dal (Mann) president S. Simranjeet S. Mann Sunday called upon Prime Minister V P Singh to remove long standing irritants of the Sikh community by holding talks with representatives of Sikh bodies including the Panthic panel.

Mann was released on Sunday from Bhagalpur jail, where he was held on sedition charges and in Indira Gandhi assassination cases.

In his maiden speech at the Akal Takht (highest spiritual and temporal seat of Sikh community) after his release from Bhagalpur jail, Mann Alleged that people of Punjab state were “Tortured and Harassed” during the last five years.

He asked the new government to hold inquiry and expose the role of certain intelligence agencies and Punjab police in order to bring peace in the state.

Mann said, the Indian Constitution should be studied to find out if it contained solution of Sikh problems.

“We would be free to follow suggestions made by the Sikh Pa nth if such a solution were not possible.

Mann said killings at the hands of police and security forces in Punjab during the last five years were “sorrowful events” These should be stopped as nobody could tolerate them, he said. He urged the government to hold Nurem burg like trials to punish the guilty in the 84° Sikh massacres. He said eminent lawyers like Ram Jeth malani were being consulted on the Punjab problem to find a possible constitutional solution. He specially named Ray and Riberio as those who tried to destroy Sikh culture and Heritage. Simranjit Singh Mann wanted Prosecution of those responsible for causing damage to the Akal Takht.

Mann also toured his Tarn Tar an constituency to thank voters. The function at Akal Takht, sponsored by the Akali Dal (Mann) and the All India Sikh Stu dents Federation was also addressed by acting Akali Dal (Mann) Baba Joginder Singh, and AISSF president Manjit Singh,

Baba Joginder Singh said he had summoned a party meeting on December 6 to hand over the charge to Mann. S. Joginder Singh Mann father of Simranjit Singh Mann in a statement issued by the family has thanked all Sikh institutions in America, Canada and Europe who have stood by the cause of the Sikhs.

Article extracted from this publication >>  December 8, 1989