Sikh organisation welcomes Government's decision to release prisoners

Sikhs of America, a leading American organisation has welcomed the Government’s decision to release Sikh prisoners. The move is aimed at assuaging the sentiments of the community and blocking Pakistan’s efforts to spread a separatist movement in Punjab. Jesse Singh, chairman of Sikhs of America thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the move. “When we met Prime Minister in Houston, he reminded us that one of our demands from 2014 memorandum will soon be answered,” Jesse said.  

Government to release eight prisoners 

The Government has decided to release eight prisoners who are lodged in different jails across the country for committing crimes during the Militancy period in Punjab.

Death Sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana commuted

The President of Sikhs in America, Kanwaljit Singh Soni has thanked the Home Ministry for commuting the death sentence of another prisoner, Balwant Singh Rajoana. Rajoana was convicted for the assassination of former Chief Minister of Punjab Beant Singh. 

READ | Punjab CM asks MHA to explain decision on Beant Singh's assassin

Ranveet Singh Bittu reacts to the development

Meanwhile, Ranveet Singh Bittu, Congress MP and the grandson of Beant Singh has reacted to the development regarding the sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana. 

READ | Capt Amarinder Singh bans TV serial after Valmiki community's protest

 Government accepts Punjab CM’s request 

The Indian Government also accepted Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh's proposal to release TADA prisoners, as a humanitarian gesture, to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. 

Government scraps blacklist

Earlier, the Government had scrapped the 35-year-old blacklist that prevented close to 312 members of the Sikh community from holding passports and travelling outside the country for their alleged role during the Khalistan movement in Punjab. 

(With inputs from ANI) 

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