Sikh bodies: Withdraw appointments of Punjab DGP & AG

Jalandhar, September 29

Recent appointments made by the state government have snuffed out any remaining hope for justice in the Bargari issue. This was stated by the Alliance of Sikh Organisations, a conglomerate of various Sikh groups. It demanded withdrawal of appointments of the DGP and the AG while criticising CM Charanjit Singh Channi for siding with accused in sacrilege cases.

Sukhdev Singh Phagwara, coordinator of the political wing of the alliance, said the recent appointments reveal the intentions of the state government on the issue. He said after 2015, Channi is the third such CM of the state who has displayed the same approach to justice on the issue.

Phagwara raised questions on the SIT headed by DGP Iqbalpreet Singh Sahota, formed on the issue of sacrilege, on its soft approach to question Dera followers facing charges in the case. He said the previous government’s action in the case was inconclusive. He also added the recommendation of registering FIRs against ‘unidentified police officers’ responsible for the Behbal Kalan firing incident was also made under the SIT headed by Sahota.

He further added that AS Deol, the chief counsel for the main accused DGP Sumedh Saini in the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura firing incidents, being appointed as Advocate General, Punjab, clearly makes the present government’s intentions clear.

He said what is surprising is that previously both former CMs Sukhbir Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh have lost their chair due to their lackadaisical approach in ensuring justice in these cases. But the third CM who promises not to repeat the previous mistakes of the twin CMs, actually surpasses them in backing those with questionable conduct in the sacrilege cases. He said “The Alliance of Sikh Organisations appeals to the Congress government and its MLAs that they pressurise the CM to withdraw these twin appointments.” — TNS