Chandigarh, Oct. 12 -- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday reiterated that his government would pursue every legal and constitutional avenue for the release of Bandi Singhs, asserting that the long-pending issue must not remain unresolved indefinitely.
After meeting representatives of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, Sikh organisations and farmers' unions, Mann said his government had assured the Centre and the Punjab Governor that law and order would be maintained if Jagtar Singh Hawara was granted parole to meet his ailing mother. "However, the Centre had not approved the request."
"The Punjab government will take responsibility for maintaining law and order in the state," Mann said, adding that even a short parole for Hawara could help pave the way for the release of other Bandi Singhs.
He urged Sikh organisations to keep their campaign peaceful and within the bounds of the law.
On the parole requests of Paramjit Singh Bheora and Jagtar Singh Tara, Mann said the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Chandigarh Administration. He would take up their cases with the Punjab Governor, who also serves as Chandigarh Administrator. Mann also asked Punjab Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi to examine the cases from a legal perspective to explore an amicable solution.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.