Panel leaves for Amritsar to submit details

Mohali, Punjab: A four-member panel representing leaders of the ‘Bandi Sikh Rihayi’ stir left here today for Amritsar to give details of the detained Sikh youths languishing in various jails of the country to the Akal Takht Jathedar.

The team left Amb Sahib Gurdwara, where the fast by Haryana leader Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa entered its 30th day today for the release of the Sikh youths who had completed their sentences.

The members of the panel were Jhujhar Singh, son of the fasting leader, Harpal Singh Cheema, acting president of the SAD (Panch Pardhani), Amrik Singh of the student wing of the Damdami Taksal, Ajnala, and Amar Singh Chahal, advocate.

Yesterday Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh had sought details about the Sikhs lodged in various jails of the country.

There was resentment among Gurbaksh’s supporters over the reported statement of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal that the Punjab Government would not be able to do much as the release of the detained Sikhs was a matter that concerned other states.

Head of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha RP Singh asked Sukhbir and the SGPC to clarify their stands on the matter.

He said SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar and the Akal Takht Jathedar had earlier given an assurance that appropriate legal steps were being taken to secure the release of the detained Sikhs.

A group of 100 Sikhs led by Nirvair Singh, representative of Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, reached Amb Sahib Gurdwara to provide protection at the venue where Gurbaksh is on fast.

Source: The Tribune