Jalandhar, April 4
Protest against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler and the CBI here today turned violent as some members of the Danga Peerat Welfare Society, Punjab, smashed window panes and ransacked the district Congress party’s office.

Agitated over the decision of the CBI, which gave a clean chit to Tytler in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, the members of the society shouted anti-government slogans and later burnt the effigy of the UPA government.

Brandishing swords, the activists ran towards the Congress office left window panes, furniture and pictures of Congress leaders, including those of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, in tatters. Women activists were seen crying and yelling slogans “Sonia Gandhi hai hai”.

Interestingly, the entire episode took place at a stone’s throw from the SSP’s office. Though SHO Nirmal Singh reached the spot in advance with a battery of police personnel, he kept witnessing the scene as a mute spectator.

Sanjay Sehgal, vice-president of the District Congress, said, “The police did not come to our rescue. We were left to fend for ourselves and saved by taking shelter in the bathroom of the bhawan. And the police remained a mute spectator throughout this incident”.

Congress district president Arun Walia maintained they would report the ineffective action of district police to the Election Commission.

Meanwhile, president of the women’s wing of the society, Gurdeep Kaur tried self-immolation bid by putting kerosene on herself near the District Administrative Complex.

“The Congress-led government should cancel the candidature of Tytler from the North East Delhi Lok Sabha seat and that of Sajjan Kumar. They are mass murderers. Their nominations should be cancelled, else the government will face serious consequences,” added Kaur.

Jeet Kaur, an aged woman who had come from Ludhiana, was in tears while expressing anger against the Central government. “The CBI was the last ray of hope for justice for the riot victims, but the verdict has shaken our faith on the judiciary,” she said.

SHO Nirmal Singh said the police had filed cases under Sections 427, 451 and 149, IPC. However, no arrests have been made so far.

Patiala, April 4
Terming Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar as ‘Butchers of Sikhs’, Deputy Chief Minister and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has alleged that the anti-Sikh and anti-Punjabi face of the Congress has got exposed with its decision to give a clean chit to its two leaders, who were allegedly behind the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and rewarding them with the Lok Sabha tickets.

The Deputy Chief Minister also predicted that the Congress would earn the wrath of the electorate in the LS elections and pay dearly for its follies, particularly for its long-standing “anti-Sikh” stance.

Addressing the gathering on the ninth death anniversary of late Punjab Minister Jasdev Singh Sandhu at Kauli village, he said it was surprising that killers of 3,000 Sikhs were roaming free and that the Congress was giving shelter to them, hence, making mockery of the judicial system for the last 25 years. He questioned, “What kind of democracy is it where victims and witnesses are forced to flee abroad since accused like Tytler and Sajjan, with the connivance of the Congress, are ensuring that crucial witnesses are stopped from deposing in the court.”

Criticising the politicisation of the CBI, the Deputy Chief Minister said with the recent decision to exonerate Tytler from the clutches of law, the CBI had lost its credibility in the eyes of public. The people were now calling the CBI as “Congress Bureau of Investigation”.

Appealing to people to teach a lesson to the Congress, he said it was an irony that the Congress-led UPA government could not secure a single conviction for mass slaughter of thousands of Sikhs.

Daring all Congress leaders to collectively resign from the party till the clean chit given to Tytler is withdrawn and their Lok Sabha nominations cancelled, Sukhbir said they should not pound the voice of their conscious just for electoral benefits. If they failed to rise against injustice, history would not forgive them.

On the occasion, former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Singh Chautala, Chief Parliamentary Secretary of Punjab Raj Khurana and Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, SAD-BJP candidate from the Patiala Lok Sabha constituency, also paid tributes to late Jasdev Singh Sandhu.

Jalandhar, April 4
While names of more Congress leaders will be added in the state’s Campaign Committee for the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, its chairman Amarinder Singh said constituency-wise rallies would be held only after April 16. At present there are 48 names in the committee, besides media coordinator, spokespersons and others. “Some important names will be included now,” he said.

“The strategy is to visit places and meet rank and file to mobilise them for campaigning in LS constituencies,” said Capt Amarinder Singh. Big rallies had been planned after April 16 to take the campaign to peak by April-end. “I have visited Ferozepur and Jalandhar and will visit other constituencies,” he said.

He said he was trying to streamline the campaign in the constituencies where young Congress leaders were contesting. “Young Congress leaders contesting from Sangrur, Faridkot and Hoshiarpur constituencies need experienced hands for the campaign,” said Amarinder.

On Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Punjab for campaigning, Amarinder said the best time for him to visit the state would be during Baisakhi festival. “I want Rahul Gandhi to address political conference on Baisakhi day, a big occasion in Punjab,” he said.

The possibility of film actors landing in Punjab in April-end to campaign for Congress candidates was there. “We have felt anger and resentment among people against the SAD-BJP government. We will try to turn this anger into pro-Congress vote,” said Amarinder. People were also angry at the style of functioning of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, he said.“An impression has gone among people that Sukhbir is an arrogant politician and does not care for any one except himself and a few of his cronies,” said Amarinder. “That impression is to our advantage,” he asserted.

Kot Shamir (Bathinda), April 4
Jathedar, Takht Damdama Sahib, Balwant Singh Nandgarh’s arrival at the Shukrana conference in Jandalisar gurdwara here in Bathinda district was greeted by some radical Sikhs with slogans, “Panth de gaddar vaapis jao” (traitors of Panth, go back).

The conference was organised to celebrate the unconditional release of Baljeet Singh Daduwal, leader of the Sant Samaj, in a case registered at Bajakhana.

This apparently was an expression of resentment among radical Sikhs, who were annoyed with the Jathedar’s statement on the dispatch of Marjeevade (persons ready to sacrifice life) from Takht Damdama Sahib to headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda in Salabatpura to have it closed.

Earlier, the Jathedar had undertaken to send groups every Sunday, but later receiving the edict from the Jathedar, Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Gurbachan Singh, directing to defer the move till Baisakhi conference, he changed his stand.

His staying away from the issue of arrest of Daduwal also generated resentment among the latter’s followers.

Later, Nandgarh narrated the incident from the stage. He termed himself bound by the edict of Akal Takht. He said, “Call me hero or zero, I was not at fault as at the meeting with Sikh priests of Amritsar, I had given some points, to which they disagreed. I left the place. Earlier too, I had requested them to plan a programme of Marjeevade with views of all religious leaders, but nobody heeded me.”

Later, at a press conference, he said, “I am sure abiding by Akal Takht, I will not present siropas to the group of Marjeevade, scheduled to march tomorrow to Salabatpura.”

On the allegation of being an ally of the Badals, he said, “A generation back, father of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had helped my family in bad days.I too was an Akali, but after getting this post, I do not belong to any party”. He blamed the SAD (B) for arresting Sikh leader Daduwal despite being a Panthic government.

On a clean chit to Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, he said, “It was a jolt for all as the CBI has proved it did not work as an independent agency. But the Congress is a bigger culprit for allotting ticket to such ‘killers’. As Takht Jathedar, I urge all Sikhs to boycott such an offender in the polls”.

Dhanoe Kalan (Indo-Pak border), April 4
Residents of Dhanoe Kalan village near the Indo-Pakistan border have not made up their mind who to vote for in the Lok Sabha elections as the village is in an utter state of neglect.

A bridge on defence drain was one of the major demands of the people of the area as they have to cover more than 6 km to reach the adjoining Bachiwind village.

There is a temporary bridge of wooden logs built by people of the area across the canal built in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign. The Ravi water passing through this canal was used for irrigation in adjoining villages, including Pul Kanjri.

Only two-wheelers can pass on this bridge and not heavy four-wheeled vehicles like tractors carrying farm implements. These vehicles reach Bachiwind or vice-versa after covering 6 km.

Gurnam Singh, a resident of Dhanoe Kalan, said local MLA and Minister for Sports Gulzar Singh Ranike had promised the bridge during the last Assembly elections. But even after about two years of the formation of the SAD-BJP government, the bridge steps had not been taken to construct the bridge, he added.

He said before the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, concrete bridge existed near the wooden bridge, but the Indian Army had destroyed it to check movement of Pakistani army which had captured Dhanoe Kalan village. However, the Indian Army freed the village from the enemy after a fierce battle, he added.

Mohali, April 4
A number of Akalis are deserting the SAD after being harassed by the policies of deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. A reflection of his conduct is visible from his adverse comments on Jasjit Singh Bunny, son of late Capt Kanwaljit Singh, being not given his due. This was stated by Capt Amarinder Singh while appearing at the local courts here in connection with the Amritsar Improvement Trust land-exemption case.

Capt, who was granted regular bail in the case, said the SAD leaders had insulted the family of Late Capt Kanwaljit Singh. Trying to skid a direct reply on Jagdish Tytler being given clean chit by the CBI in the 1984 riot case, former Chief Minister said it would be wise to wait for the outcome of the case that has been raked only during elections.

He sided with the step taken by Jasjit Bunny but said it would too premature to comment on the issue as the family was till in shock over the sudden demise of Capt Kanwaljit Singh. “Let the family settle down and then the issue would be discussed,” he added.

Attacking the Badal’s for controlling the sand mining, transport, liquor and cable TV businesses, he said during his regime the contracts had been given to ex-servicemen and handicaps.

On being asked about Bir Devinder leaving the party, he said the former MLA was hand in glove with the Akalis as he enjoyed government accommodation and police escorts. “He never thought of the 1984 riot issue when Tytler was earlier given the ticket,” he said.

Meanwhile, as a show of strength, local congress leaders had converged at the courts. The police had to make elaborate security arrangement.

Amritsar, April 4
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will review the cases of anti-Sikh riots and bring the accused of the massacre of Sikhs, including Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler, to justice, if voted back to power.

Stating this, Balbir Punj, in charge of the state BJP affairs, said the NDA government would do everything possible under the law to prosecute the accused of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He added that the Sikh masses were feeling cheated and hurt after the clean chit given by the CBI and granting of tickets to Sajjan and Tytler by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to contest the LS elections.

Terming the imposition of the National Security Act and criminal charges against Varun Gandhi as political vendetta, Punj said the BJP stood by young Gandhi in the way he was allegedly framed in the case.

Criticising the Election Commission (EC) for recommending the BJP for non-candidature of Varun, he said this was for the first time in the 60-year history of the country that the EC issued such a recommendation. He said the EC should have investigated the controversial CD from forensic expert to bring out the truth. However, it worked in a biased manner and gave its decision hurriedly without giving Varun a single chance to clarify his position. Astonishingly, the commission had not given such views against other tainted leaders in other parties, including Mukhtar Ansari, who is contesting on BSP ticket, against whom there were charges of murder and having links with the ISI.

Meanwhile, Bikram Singh Majithia, former Cabinet minister and patron of the Youth Akali Dal, has been nominated in charge of elections campaigns of Navjot Singh Sidhu, BJP candidate for the Amritsar parliamentary seat, after holding meetings of Akali leaders. Majithia said he would try his best to ensure victory of Sidhu.

Sangrur, April 4
The CPI (ML) Liberation today intensified its election campaign from the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency. Comrade Tarsem Jodhan addressed rallies in Namol, Sheron, Longowal, Togawal, Ubhawal, Jharon, Jakhepal, Kanjhla and Cheema villages of the constituency.

Addressing the rallies, Jodhan called upon the labourers and agriculture workers not to vote in favour of candidates of the Congress, the SAD-BJP alliance and other parties. He said the policies of these parties were anti-people and anti-workers, so they should vote in favour of the candidate of the revolutionary party, CPI (ML) Liberation.

He also said even after more than 60 years of the Independence the pro-rich forces had been adopting pro-imperialism policies, due to which the workers and farmers were suffering a lot nowadays.

Those present during the rallies included Kewal Jharon, Lachhman Jakhepal, Gobind Singh Chhajli and Makhan Singh.

Jalandhar, April 4
After the death of Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Cooperation Minister, Punjab, the most propounded thesis that politicians are a most-hated community has been proved wrong. In his death, it has been proved that politicians also command respect and affection of people. However, not all but only a few politicians like Capt Kanwaljit Singh.

Across the state, people have been touched by his demise because he was relatively an honest and upright politician and had a clean public life. The outpouring of grief over his death has been natural and spontaneous and not a stage-managed affair. There were many to shed real tears for him.

Many organisations and individuals have got their condolences messages published in the form of paid advertisements in newspapers to express grief over his death. In fact, some of the newspapers have been virtually flooded with such messages. Such an expression of sorrow over the death of any politician has not been witnessed earlier in recent years.

Capt Kanwaljit represented a certain school of thought in politics. He was against the politicians using the state power to amass wealth to become rich and famous and to bully opponents. While most people join politics to use the state power for personal welfare and benefit, Capt Kanwaljit believed in the basic concept that to be part of the government means to put in place programmes and policies for the welfare of people and think about the collective progress of people and the state.

He always toed his own political line and maintained a different stance on important issues. He was a powerful politician without having money power that is required in present day Indian politics to achieve certain “ high offices”.

There is a lesson for politicians to be learnt from Capt Kanwaljit. If politicians want to earn affection and respect of people, the way he did, they should also maintain an honest and clean public life.

Chandigarh, April 4
Even as former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today termed the Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar controversy as a non-issue for Punjab, it seems that the state Congress is at pains to control the political damage they face from Sikh sentiment with regards to the 1984 riots.

Political analysts pointed out that the presence of expelled SAD leader Manjit Singh Calcutta and Delhi Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Chief Paramjit Singh Sarna at Amarinder’s press conference here this evening showed that the state Congress was not as dismissive of the subject as Captain Amarinder made it out to be.

Interestingly, while Amarinder repeatedly refused to comment on the Tytler and Sajjan issue, both Sarna and Calcutta made their stance clear. “We are supporting the Congress on all seats except these two,” they said.

Meanwhile, upping its attack of the Congress on the issue, Sukhbir today asked Amarinder to quit the party. “What is he doing in a party responsible for the killing of Sikhs and then adding insult to injury by decorating the killers not just with party tickets but with cabinet berths. On whose side is Amarinder really - the killers or the victims?” questioned Badal while repeating his promise that the case against Tytler would be re-opened once the NDA comes to power.

Amarinder, however, too had some uncomfortable questions ready. “What was this boy (Sukhbir) doing for five years in the Parliament? Why did not question the presence of Tytler and Sajjan Kumar in the Lok Sabha? Did he ever raise this issue there? Did he even get up to ask a question or call attention to any issue related to Sikhs? The Badals just raked up Sikh emotions before every election,” he said.

Not wanting the issue to die down, the SAD was also quick to respond. “It is significant, though ironic, that these traitors of the Panth have joined hands with the murderers of the community at a time when the whole country is seething with anger,” Sukhbir said.

Sangrur, April 4
In the light of a speech delivered by BJP leader Varun Gandhi recently, a former president of All-India Youth Congress and now chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front MS Bitta has demanded the enactment of a special Act to punish those persons who deliver speeches to harm the unity and integrity of the country.

He said in this proposed Act there should be a provision that the persons found guilty could not come out of jails.

In reply to a question here last night, Bitta said Varun, who could not become a leader during the past several years, had emerged a leader overnight with his hate speech against Muslims and Sikhs. He said now Varun would be given Z category security on the plea that there was a danger to his life.

Regarding clean chit to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler by the CBI in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots’ case, Bitta said if he (Tytler) did not get clean chit from people, the clean chit given to him by the CBI had no meaning.

Bitta also said the Pakistan government had constructed hundreds of bunkers near Indian borders by violating the international law. He asked the Union government to raise this issue at the United Nations (UN). He further said the Union government should also stress upon the UN to declare Pakistan as a terrorist state.

He also said if the UN did not control Taliban and the ISI of Pakistan, these forces would become a big danger for the whole of the world, especially India. If the US failed to finish the Taliban, nuclear weapons might get into their hands, he added.

He said by not organising IPL cricket matches in India, the government had admitted its defeat.