No change in Dal Khalsa call for Wednesday’s shutdown

Shiromani Khalsa Panchayat demands resolution in Assembly

JALANDHAR: Shiromani Khalsa Panchayat on Monday demanded that Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal either passes a resolution in the Assembly to commute the death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana or return his award of Panth Rattan-Faqr-e-Kaum — bestowed on him by the Akal Takaht. It also threatened to gherao the Assembly if their demands were not considered.

Supports mercy but with a rider,says congress

Chandigarh: Changing his earlier stance that law should take its own course on clemency for accused in former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh’s killing,Congress Legislative Party leader Sunil Jakhar said in the state Assembly on Monday that Beant Singh’s family has supported the commutation of Balwant Singh Rajoana’s death sentence in the interest of hard-earned peace of Punjab and the Congress supports it. “Beant Singh sacrificed his life for peace and it is incumbent on the state government to maintain it at all costs,” he said. He did not fail to remind the government that 25,000 Punjabis had also lost their lives to militancy and their feelings should also be assauged.

Shopkeepers protest with saffron flags

JALANDHAR: In protest against Balwant Singh Rajoana’s death sentence,saffron flags were placed by shopkeepers in Rainak Bazaar on Monday. It is one of the biggest and oldest makets of the city. The hardliners have already issued directions to Sikhs to unfurl saffron flags in protest.

OTHERS also pitch in

Universal Human Rights Organization

has filed a writ petition to the President Pratibha Patil,urging her to use her powers and pardon Balwant.

All India Sikh Conference president Gurcharan Singh Bababr has announced that they will meet the President on March 30 and seek clemency.

Sikh Azad Sangharsh Committee— headed by Gurdeep Singh Gosha — has given a call for Punjab bandh on March 28.