SC/ST Act: Ahead of protest, worried Sampla meets Ranike

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 31

Union Minister Vijay Sampla said on Saturday that he was surprised to know from media reports that the Doaba-based Akali MLAs were supporting the April-2 bandh call against the alleged dilution of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Supreme Court.

The outgoing state BJP president, who, too, represents the Dalit community, rather chose to appeal to the protesters to withdraw their agitation in view of the Centre’s decision to file a review petition in the apex court.

Ruling out any political conspiracy which Akali MLAs Pawan Tinu, Baldev Khaira and Dr Sukhwinder Sukhi alleged, Sampla said, “There is no need of any probe.” He argued over the points put forth by the Akali MLAs, “The courts are independent. How can anybody think that the judges will get influenced by the contention of the government lawyers? Do all decisions of the Supreme Court come the way the government wants them to be?”

Sampla said he had discussed about the stand taken by the Akali MLAs with SAD SC wing chief Gulzar Singh Ranike and asked him to sort out the matter. The call for protest has kept the police forces on tenterhooks. Paramilitary forces have been deployed in Jalandhar. A flag march was carried out by the Kapurthala police on Saturday, two days ahead of the Monday’s protest.

Maintain peace: CM

Chandigarh: Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday appealed to the SC community to maintain peace saying that the Punjab Vidhan Sabha had already adopted a resolution to express solidarity with them during its recent Budget session, seeking the Union Government’s intervention in the matter. tns