Sikh bodies fortify Mohali protest site against illegal police actions

Mohali, Punjab: Following the midnight detention of fasting Kurukshetra-based radical Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, several Sikh bodies have decided to depute their armed supporters at Gurdwara Amb Sahib here to thwart any such police action in future.

On fast-unto-death, Gurbaksh was whisked away around 12:15 am by the police dressed up as Nihangs two days ago. He had been protesting since November 14, demanding release of Sikh youths languishing in various prisons across the country despite completion of their jail terms.

After his detention, Sikh bodies decided to continue the protest and deputed Ludhiana resident Damandeep Singh to continue the indefinite fast. Harpal Singh Cheema, member of Shiromani Akali Dal (Panj Pardhani), said: “Around 100 Sikhs carrying traditional arms, including swords and spears, will remain guard at the site to prevent any such action by the police. Twenty-four teams of Sikh youths have been constituted.”

Cheema said a ‘jatha’ of about 125 armed youths stood guard at the site yesterday. In his first list, Khalsa has demanded release of six persons: Lakhwinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Shamsher Singh (all Patiala residents and lodged in Burail jail), Gurdeep Singh Khera (of Taran Tarn and lodged in a Karnataka jail), Wariyam Singh (Uttar Pradesh resident and lodged in Pili Bheet jail) and Lal Singh (Kapurthala native and lodged in Nabha Jail).

Source: The Tribune