CANDIGARK, India: Two separate functions were held to mark the 1st anniversary of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal’s assassination. At the Sherpur function Badal Akali Dal leader criticized the government for its inability to apprehend the killers of Longowal, They even charged that the Punjab government and the Central government were responsible for his murder. They also charged that Punjab government was deliberately delaying the arrest of the culprits,
A special meeting of the Badal Akali Dal was also held in Gurdwara Akal Parkash at Sherpur, In the meeting an ultimatum was served on the government that if by September 7, Parkash Singh Badal and Gurcharna Singh Tohra were not released along with all the other detained Sikhs, if army deserters were not reinstated, if the decision to enforce section 249 of the Constitution was not revoked and if the atrocities being perpetrated against the Sikhs at district level were not stopped, then the party will stage protest demonstrations outside the offices of the Deputy Commissioner. In these demonstrations besides party workers, the district chiefs will also participate.
It was decided that if no steps were taken to meet these demands by Sept. 8, then, the next program will be announced by the Working Committee of the party on Sept. 8. The program up to September 7 will be peaceful.
In the meeting, Punjab government was held responsible for violence in the state, Besides S. Sukhjinder Singh, S. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, S, Balwinder Singh Bhundar. S. Talib Singh Sandhu and S. Gurdey Singh Badal many senior Akali workers were also present in the meeting.
Through a resolution, it was charged that Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Sugjit Singh Barnala, acted as the puppet of the Central government and did not raise his voice against the proposal to enforce section 249 in Punjab. Mr. Barnala was called a traitor to the Panth. “If Barnala was true Sikh, he should resign from his. Position”, the resolution said. Enforcement of section 249 would be a clear violation of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution.
Through another resolution, it was charged that Barnala government was framing Sikh youths in false cases at the instance of the Centre and putting them in prison cells. Nothing has been done for the rehabilitation of the army deserters. The meeting also demanded the recall of Punjab police chief, Mr. Ribeiro, Badal Akali Dal pledged to continue the struggle till the restoration of all Sikh rights.
The ruling Akali Dal held a big function at village Longowal. Among other national level leaders, it was attended by Congress (I) vice President, Mr. Arjan Singh, Mr. H.NN. Bahuguna. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sujit Singh Barnala announced that 300 core worth of farmers debts relating to the brick-lining of canal are being written off. Political parties were demanding that the government should meet the expenditure for brick-lining of Canals and not ban on to already burdened farmers.
Punjab Revenue Minister, Mr.Major Singh Oboke in his speech charged that more than a year had lapsed since Rajiv-Longowal accord but no steps had been taken to implement it. He said Akali Dal should come into action to get the accord implemented. He said ultimatum should be given to the Centre on this occasion. He said the attitude of the Centre has confirmed the doubts of the people about the accord. He accused the Centre of insincerity towards Punjab. Akali Dal under the leadership of Sant Longowal fought for freedom during emergency and also for the rights of Punjab subsequently. Is a matter of regret that Centre was planning to enforce section 249 in the state while the States were demanding more rights. Akali Dal can never accept the propos for a security belt as it stood for more rights to the states, he said. Talking to newsman he said that Punjabis were losing faith in the Central government and they were getting impatient about the implementation of the accord.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 29, 1986
