Front approaches Admn for release of Sikh detainees

Mohali, Punjab: Members of the Sikh Bandi Rehai Morcha have again started their activities towards seeking premature release of Sikhs in jails. In the first step in this direction, the members have moved an application to the Chandigarh Administration for premature release of three Sikh detainees, namely Lakhwinder Singh, Shamsher Singh and Gurmeet Singh. The trio, who has been on parole currently, is being lodged in the Burail Jail in connection with their involvement in former Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassination case.

Talking to Tribune, Harpal Singh Cheema, a key member of the Morcha, said they were also going to move Supreme Court in this connection. “All the three detainees have spent almost 19 years in jail. They fulfill all the conditions for a premature release. We have sent the documents to the Chandigarh Administration and in this regard, we will also file a case in the apex court by the next week,” said Cheema.

The members of the front also held a meeting here, which was attended by several leaders of Sikh religious bodies, including Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa.

Khalsa, who hit the headlines by observing hunger strike for 41 days for the release of Sikh detainees last month, said the meeting was held to chalk out a new programme for the release of Sikh prisoners. Following his protest, the authorities had released Gurmeet Singh, Shamsher Singh, Lakhwinder Singh and another Sikh detainee Lal Singh on parole last month.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Sikh Bandi Rehai Morcha was formed during Khalsa’s hunger strike.

“We have not left the issue. In fact, we are pursuing the case of the remaining two Sikh detainees – Wariyam Singh lodged at Pilibhit Jail (UP) and Gurdeep Singh Singh Khera at Gulbarga Jail (Karnataka) – to get them out on parole,” said Khalsa.

  Fact file

• Members of the Sikh Bandi Rehai Morcha have moved an application to the Chandigarh Administration for premature release of three Sikh detainees, namely Lakhwinder Singh, Shamsher Singh and Gurmeet Singh.
• The trio, who has been on parole currently, is being lodged in the Burail Jail in connection with their involvement in former Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassination case.

Source: The Tribune