NEW DELHI: Akalis from Punjab, on Feb.21, marched to the United States embassy here to express their gratitude to the U.S. for raising the issue of human rights violations in Punjab.
The Akali leaders of the Mann faction were joined by several human rights activists from Punjab, including Justice Ajit Singh Bains, D.S.Gill and Inderjit Singh Jaijee, convener of the Movement against State Repression. Later, they submitted memorandum to the Deputy Chief of mission, US embassy putting on record their thanks to President Bill Clinton, for expressing concern for the Sikhs.
Clinton’s statement on the Sikhs had debunked the decade old propaganda against Sikhs aimed at defaming them in the eyes of the world, the memorandum said.
The memorandum was also signed by other senior Akali leaders like Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief G.S.Tohra, Jagdey Singh Talwandi and former Lt. Governor of Goa Pratap Singh Gill.
Prominent Akali leaders among the marchers were the Akali Dal (Mann) acting president Sant Ajit Singh, Sucha Singh Chhotepur Ram Singh and Charanjit Singh Walia ex-MP.
Later, addressing a Press conference, party general secretary Jagmohan Singh alleged that despite tall claims of the Punjab government, peace had not returned to the state. Instead, the people had been silenced by the excessive use of force by the government, he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 25, 1994
