Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said his government would pursue all legal and constitutional avenues to secure the release of Bandi Singhs, asserting that the long-pending issue should not remain unresolved indefinitely.
Mann said the state government had assured the Centre and the 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, he added.
Meeting with Qaumi Insaaf Morcha
In a post on X, Mann said he had met representatives of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha to discuss their demands and efforts to secure the early release of Bandi Singhs. He said the government was working towards a meaningful resolution of the issue.
During a meeting with Sikh organisations, farmers’ unions and other groups, the Chief Minister reiterated that the state government would provide all possible assistance within the framework of the law.
Punjab assures law and order during Hawara’s parole
Mann said Punjab had also assured Union Home Minister Amit Shah that it would take responsibility for maintaining law and order if Hawara was granted parole.
He said even a few days of parole to allow Hawara to meet his ailing mother could set an example of peace and harmony in Punjab and potentially pave the way for the release of other Bandi Singhs.
The Chief Minister urged Sikh organisations to keep their campaign peaceful and within the law. He alleged that certain groups sometimes resorted to disruptive activities to derail movements and damage the Sikh community’s global image.
Bheora, Tara cases to be raised with Governor
On the parole cases of Paramjit Singh Bheora and Jagtar Singh Tara, lodged in Burail Jail, Mann said the matter fell under the Chandigarh Administration’s jurisdiction.
“I will take up this issue with the Governor of Punjab, who is also the Administrator of Chandigarh,” he said.
The Chief Minister asked Punjab Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi to examine the cases from a legal perspective and explore an amicable solution.
‘Justice must follow constitutional process’
Mann said the government would pursue lawful options to address the issue, which he described as involving justice, humanitarian considerations and the rights of people who had spent prolonged periods in prison.
He reiterated that the government would act with sensitivity while respecting the constitutional and legal framework.
Those present at the meeting included Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Affairs, Alok Shekhar, Special DGP (Law and Order) PK Sinha, Principal Secretary, Jails, Bhawna Garg, and Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Kumar Amit.
