8 Sikh prisoners to be freed on Guru’s anniv

New Delhi, September 28 

Eight Sikh prisoners, lodged in different jails in the country for crimes during militancy in Punjab, will be released by the government on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in November as a goodwill gesture.The Union Home Ministry also announced that through a special remission, the death sentence of another Sikh prisoner has been commuted to life imprisonment.

The decision by the government comes in response to the long-pending demand of the Sikh community to release Sikh prisoners. A communication to this effect was sent on Saturday to the state governments and Union Territories concerned.

The government is also planning to release more prisoners from jails across the country under the special remission scheme to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. — PTI

Sirsa credits Akalis 

New Delhi: President of the DSGMC Manjinder Singh Sirsa claimed it was owing to SAD efforts that the Union Government had agreed to release Sikh prisoners who had completed their sentence. In a statement, he said party president Sukhbir Badal and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur had raised the matter with Union Home Minister. TNS

Commemorative coins

Kathmandu: Nepal has launched three commemorative coins to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The coins are in the denomination of 100, 1,000 and 2,500 Nepalese rupees.