Chief of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Harjinder Singh Dhami on Saturday said that the village level would be the focus of the campaign for the release of Sikh prisoners. The choice was made during a joint meeting of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the SGPC at the historic Alamgir Gurdwara on the outskirts of the city. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the head of the SAD, also attended the conference.
Dhami claimed that more than 16 lakh forms have already been filled as part of the SGPC's signature drive for the release of Sikh inmates that was started in December. From February 18, he stated, the campaign would be intensified and brought to the village level, and meetings would be held in at least four locations in every assembly constituency.
According to Dhami, the members were pleased with the SGPC's efforts to secure the release of the "Bandi Singhs." SAD chief Badal urged the leaders to recruit as many villagers as possible to join the campaign. The SGPC and the SAD are fighting for the release of Sikh inmates who they say are being held in various prisons after having served their sentences. These inmates include 1993 Delhi bomb bombing convict Devinderpal Singh Bhullar and Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was found guilty in the murder of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.
According to Dhami, a plan has been created to organise events at the village level beginning on February 18 in order to accelerate this initiative.
The current SGPC members, Akali leaders, women, and youth SAD workers were asked by Badal to ensure maximum participation of villagers in the SGPC's hallmark campaign.
(With PTI inputs)