Shiromani Akali Dal president and MP Sukhbir Singh Badal today urged the Maharashtra government to withdraw cases registered against the 27 Sikhs who were booked by the police following protests by the Sikh community over the killing of a community member in Mulund area in Mumbai last week.
He urged the government to take exemplary action against those guilty of firing at innocent and unarmed people. Leading a delegation of senior Akali leaders from Punjab, Sukhbir Badal, who met Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and the Governor, said the reaction of the community was spontaneous and emotional which led to protests. He said those arrested should be released immediately. He also demanded liberal compensation to those affected by the tragic incident, including a job to a member of the bereaved family.
Harcharan Bains, media advisor to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, represented the Punjab government in the delegation. The delegation also visited the family of Balkar Singh, who died in the incident. The SAD president announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to each to the injured. Sukhbir Badal said the Maharashtra government needs to take all necessary steps to ensure safety of life and property of the minority Sikh community in the state. "Sikhs have lived in Maharashtra for centuries and have made Maharashtra their second home. Punjabis and Marathas share a common heritage of bravery and patriotism," Sukhbir Badal said.
The other members of the delegation included SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha Charanjit Singh Atwal, SGPC vice-president Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, former ministers Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Prem Singh Chandumajra and Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, SAD secretary Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Avtar Singh Hit and Onkar Singh Thapar.
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