Congress leaders at a function organised to mark the sixth death anniversary of the late Beant Singh in Payal village on Friday. — Photo Rajesh Bhambi

Payal (Ludhiana), August 31
While strongly supporting general amnesty for all police personnel facing various charges of human rights violations, the Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh, has also demanded that all those detainees who are languishing in jails since the time of militancy should be tried in courts and if found innocent they should be immediately released.

Talking to reporters here today at the sixth death anniversary programme of the former Chief Minister, Mr Beant Singh, the PCC president said, all those youth who were languishing in jails without any trial should be produced in the court and accorded a fair trial. At the same time he supported Union Home Minister Mr L .K. Advani’s, stand that all police personnel facing charges should be granted amnesty. Supporting his argument, he pointed out, this was necessary, since these people have fought for the return of peace in the state. “If same situation emerges once again, none of the police personnel will like to act after the bitter experiences like these”, he pointed out.

Capt Amarinder also announced that the selection process for the candidates for assembly segments will start after the election dates were announced. He said, it would be done in a methodical manner by inviting formal applications from aspiring candidates, who would be subsequently shortlisted. Ideally, he said, there should be a consensus on each candidates, but if there was not, it would be left to the Central Election Committee of the party headed by the AICC president, Ms Sonia Gandhi.

Later, while paying tributes to late Beant Singh, he assured that the party would ensure that the principle for which he laid down his life are safeguarded. He cautioned people against the divisive tendencies of the Akali government which was providing free entry to people like Zaffarwal and Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan. He also declared that after assuming power, the Congress would appoint a judicial commission to probe the corruption deeds of the Badal government. It would be headed by a sitting judge of the high court. He said, “We will request the Chief Justice for the same after we come to power”. He disclosed that the charge sheet against the Badal government would be brought out within a few days.

A message from the AICC President Ms Sonia Gandhi was also read out on the occasion, which paid glowing tributes to Beant Singh for his outstanding contribution to the party and the sacrifice he laid down for the unity and of the country.

Speaking on the occasion the AICC treasurer and in charge of Punjab unit, Mr Moti Lal Vora urged the people not to let the sacrifice of Mr Beant Singh go waste. He pointed out that the Beant Singh had sacrificed his life in true tradition of the Congress. He pointed out that Mrs Indira Gandhi and Mr Rajiv Gandhi had also laid down their lives for safeguarding the unity and integrity of the country.

Former Chief Minister, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was critical of the Badal government and alleged it was playing in the hands of the anti- national forces. She claimed the days of the government were numbered as it had failed people in all respects.

Mr Jagmeet Brar accused the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal of having betrayed the interests of the state. He alleged that Mr Badal was silent on the issue of water sharing with other states which was going to harm the interests of the farmers in the state.

Former president of the Indian Youth Congress and the Chief of the Anti Terrorist Front Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, alleged that some wrong people had made their way into the party.

Mr Irshad Beg, AICC secretary, lauded the great sacrifice of late Beant Singh.