AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—Referring to the release of Hurriyat leader and chairman of Muslim League Masrat Alam by newly formed PDP government in J&K, the Dal Khalsa has asked the Punjab government to show magnanimity and release all political prisoners languishing in state prisons.
In a statement, party spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said the release of Masrat Alam from illegal detention was long due, however, the credit goes to the PDP that took initiative despite its alliance with Hindutva party in the state. He termed the release of Kashmiri pro-freedom leader as a significant development.
“Enough blood has been shed in the valley. Betrayals by successive New Delhi and its sponsored state governments have created deep mistrust in the minds of Kashmiri people”. “After eulogizing the role of Hurriyat and militants and condemning the hanging of Afzal Guru and seeking his mortal remains, the PDP has taken first practical bold step by releasing Masrat Alam. “Whether it’s a grand design by the PDP to grab the Hurriyat space or to test the waters or fulfill the political aspirations of Kashmiri people, only time would tell”.
Drawing parallels between PDP and Akali politics, he said both were pro-Indian political parties striving for federalism but ironically both were aligned with saffron party the BJP that believes in centralized
structure of Indian polity.
He said Akalis have failed to deliver so far in compare to the PDP vis-à-vis release of political prisoners. Coming down heavily on the Punjab government for harassing and humiliating its political opponents, he said it has given free hand to the state police to suppress political dissent.
Referring to detention of Bapu Surat Singh, who is on fast unto death since Jan 16 seeking the release of prisoners who have completed their prison term and the “political prisoner” status for them, the Dal Khalsa slammed the state government for suppressing the democratic protest in an harshly manner. “Ironically, Surat Singh who has sought release of political prisoners was now himself a prisoner”.
“The arrests of members of Committee for the release of political prisoners were totally wrong and illegal”. He sought the immediate release of Ravinderjit Singh Gogi son of Bapu Surat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Damandeep Singh.
