CM forms panel to resolve issue of Sikh detainees

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 28

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a high-level committee to resolve the issue of Sikh detainees expeditiously within existing rules.

The panel comprises Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Principal Secretary Jails, Additional Director Generals of Intelligence and Prisons and four representatives of Sikh organisations.

The committee has been mandated to examine specific cases to ensure timely release of these prisoners lodged in different jails of Punjab and outside the state.

A decision to this effect was taken by Badal during a meeting held here at the Chief Minister’s residence this morning with representatives of some Sikh organisations to review the situation arising out of the indefinite fast by Surat Singh Khalsa.

The Chief Minister assured them that the committee would examine — on priority — all cases as per the list of 82 cases submitted by the representatives of the Sikh organisations during the meeting.

The representatives of these organisations urged the Chief Minister to take steps for the release of some convicts belonging to Punjab who were lodged in jails outside the state. They were informed that the Chief Minister had already personally taken up the issue with the Chief Ministers of the states concerned.