—Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa has announced that he will resume his hunger strike til death within the next 7-10 days if the six Sikh Political Prisoners that were released on parole in December are not released permanently. There has been a delay in starting the second hunger strike as the Gurdwara Sahib he used last year, Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali has refused to grant him permission to have his hunger strike on their property. “After the refusal of Gurdwara Amb Sahib’s management, we are looking for a venue, which should be in the vicinity of Chandigarh,” Bhai Sahib told reporters. He added that he has decided to resume the hunger strike as a result of his ultimatum given to the Punjab Government having gone unanswered. He had given the Government of Punjab until August 31st to release Sikh Political prisoners who have not yet been released even though they have completed their sentences.
Three of the Singhs,Bhai Gurmeet Singh, Bhai Shamsher Singh and Bhai Lakhwinder Singh were convicted for assassinating former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. They have been in Burail jail, Chandigarh since September 1995 and were released for four weeks on parole in December 2013 . The Three other Singhs are Bhai Lal Singh, Bhai Gurdip Singh and Bhai Wariyam Singh, currently being kept in Nabha, Gulbarga (Karnataka) and Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) jails.
Bhai Sahib stated: “I have decided to give formal representations to President, Punjab governor and Prime Minister demanding the release of detainees. I will sit on fast thereafter within 7-10 days.” He also added that the failure of the appointed Akaal Takht Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh to do anything in regards to the release of the Singhs also prompted him to restart his hunger strike. Gurbachan Singh had promised Bhai Gurbaksh Singh swift action if he broke his hunger strike, but has failed to do anything since.
