SOPW Announces Release of Nine Singhs; Bapu Surat Singh Seeks Release of Remaining Singhs

“The sangarsh will not end until all political prisoners whose names were included in the initial list are released.” – Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa

CHANDIGARH,Punjab—After many deliberations and discussions, the Indian Government has released eight nine political prisoners. The move has been announced to commemorate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th Prakash Purab. This move has come right after Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana’s death penalty was converted to life sentence just days ago.

As per the Sikh Organization for Prisoner Welcome (SOPW), the Punjab government had recommended release of 9 out of the total 17 political Sikh prisoners confined under TADA charges. All these prisoners have already served mandatory terms of their life sentences but are still languishing in the jails from the last 18 to 28 years.

Those released include Prof. Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, Bhai Lal Singh, Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khera, Bhai Balbir Singh, Bhai Nand Singh, Bhai Harjinder Singh, Bhai Waryam Singh and Bhai Subeg Singh.

“In one case, a decision has been taken to commute the death sentence to life imprisonment, and in the remaining eight cases, the decision has been taken for the premature release of prisoners serving life and other sentences, through special remission,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

Meanwhile, Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa who has been on a hunger protest since 2015 made the following statement –

“I welcome the release of Sikh political prisoners who were languishing in jails due to their involvement in the Sikh freedom struggle. These releases have been made possible due to various efforts initiative by Bhai Gurbaksh Singh, Sikh lawyers and Panthik pressure. These political prisoners should have been released immediately after the completion of their announced sentences. The sangarsh will not end until all political prisoners whose names were included in the initial list are released.”

Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa started the Amb Sahib morcha seeking the release of the following political prisoners –

1. Bhai Lakhwinder Singh Lakha
2. Bhai Gurmeet Singh
3. Bhai Lal Singh
4. Bhai Shamsher Singh
5. Bhai Gudeep Singh
6. Bhai Waryam Singh