Punjab Newsline | Mohali
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to seek a 10-day parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a sentence in Delhi jail in connection with the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Mann said Hawara’s mother has been unwell for a long time and wishes to meet her son. He said the request has been made purely on humanitarian grounds, noting that more than 31 years have passed since the case.
Chief Minister said the Punjab government is ready to guarantee that Hawara’s temporary release will not lead to any disturbance in the state. He assured the Governor that there would be no slogan-shouting, protests, or any activity that could affect law and order.
Mann explained that since the case is linked to the Union Territory administration, the recommendation has to be processed through the Chandigarh administration, while the final decision on parole rests with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. He added that the Punjab government has formally requested a 10-day parole.
He further stated that Sikh organizations associated with campaigns seeking Hawara’s release have also assured the government that they would maintain peace and cooperate with the authorities.
According to political observers, the Punjab government’s move may also be viewed as an attempt to send a positive message to the Panthic section of voters by supporting a parole request on humanitarian grounds while simultaneously emphasizing strict maintenance of public order.
Mann said Governor Kataria assured him that the matter would be taken up with the central government and the required formalities would be initiated at the earliest. The Chief Minister expressed hope that Hawara would soon be able to sit beside his ailing mother.
