Representatives of various Sikh bodies on Monday met Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to discuss the issue of “political prisoners”, who have not been released despite completing their jail term.
The meeting was, in fact, convened by Badal himself to discuss and deliberate on the issue considering the ongoing fast unto death being observed by veteran Akali leader Surat Singh. His fast has entered 31st day.
The delegation handed over a letter written by Surat Singh addressed to the PM and the CM. The delegation also urged Badal not to resort to force-feeding Surat Singh and allow him to register his protest in a democratic and peaceful manner uninterrupted.
Through the letter, Singh has sought status of all Sikh political prisoners sentenced in cases related to Sikh struggle and release of all prisoners who have completed their jail terms and are legitimately due for release. Badal, on the other hand, expressed his helplessness while citing the Supreme Court’s interim order dated July 9, 2014, barring all State Governments from release life convicts by remitting their sentences.
The delegation has also asked Badal to take up the matter with the President, Union Home Minister and the CMs of Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, where such prisoners are languishing in jails.