Akal Takht chief must keep his word: Khalsa

Amritsar, Punjab: Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, who fasted for 44 days to press for the release of Sikh detainees, today said if Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh did not keep his word on working for the release of six Sikh detainees, he would resume his protest.

Khalsa said: “I ended my fast after the Jathedar promised me he would initiate measures for the permanent release of the detainees. He should not betray the trust placed in him. The responsibility for the release of the detainees lies with him.”

The Sikh activist invited suggestions from the Sikh Sangat as to what he should do if the promise made to him was broken. While Gurmeet Singh returned to the Burail Jail today, two more will be back in prison on Saturday when their parole period ends. He claimed that a detainee in a Karnataka jail was being shifted to a Punjab prison.

Lakhwinder Singh paid obeisance at the Golden Temple today before returning to the Burail Jail. He chose not to speak much to the media. Lakhwinder Singh, Shamsher Singh and Gurmeet Singh, convicted in the Beant Singh assassination case, were freed on parole last month. Lal Singh, another Sikh detainee, was released on parole in December last .

Source: The Tribune