Six months on, Bargari dharna by Panthic bodies to be lifted on Sunday

CHANDIGARH: The six-month-long dharna at Bargari by panthic organisations is all set to be lifted on Sunday following an announcement by the protesting leaders that they were satisfied with the government action in getting justice to police firing victims and sacrilege incidents, besides efforts for release of Sikh detainees or their transfer to Punjab jails from other states.

Protesters at the dharna site at Bargari in Faridkot. — File photo

Jupinderjit Singh & Balwant Garg
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 6

The six-month-long dharna at Bargari by panthic organisations is all set to be lifted on Sunday following an announcement by the protesting leaders that they were satisfied with the government action in getting justice to police firing victims and sacrilege incidents, besides efforts for the release of Sikh detainees or their transfer to Punjab jails from other states.

The announcement was made by Baljit Singh Daduwal at Bargari. He said representatives of the state government will reach the venue on Sunday to make a joint statement.

The state government welcomed the move and praised the dharna leaders and supporters, saying this was one of the most disciplined and peaceful protests.

Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, whose name is in circulation to represent the government, said the Chief Minister will decide who to send or whether to send anyone or not.

He welcomed the announcement to lift the dharna saying the government has noted that the protesting organisations never caused a law and order problem, or supported Khalistan or Sikh Referendum-2020. He said the protesters remained peaceful and also condemned the attack at Nirankari Bhawan, Amritsar.

Bajwa and other Congress leaders besides police officials and head of a prominent dera in Jalandhar also played a major role in mediating the peace deal with the protesters.

Bajwa said the government had conceded major demands by taking up release of Sikh detainees or their transfer to Punjab jails. He said the Special Investigation Team into police firing incidents even questioned former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and showed its sincerity in investigation unlike the past.

Daduwal announced earlier in the day they they will start Akand Path at dharna site on Friday and at the ‘bhog’ ceremony of this Path on Sunday, some cabinet ministers, most likely headed by Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, are expected to reach Bargari and there would be formal announcement to lift the dharna.

Dhian Singh Mand, the parallel jathedar of Akal Takht, who is leading this dharna since June 1, said the government has accepted most of their demands and public announcement would be made on Sunday.

He said further course of action after this announcement by the state government’s representatives.