Akalis demand security to '84 riot witness

New Delhi, Dec 22 (UNI) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today called for security to Jasbir Singh, a US based witness of a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler.

''It is quite intriguing that the Congress-led Centre has not yet come out with any statement over the revelations about alleged complicity of a senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in the riots in the aftermath of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination. More so when another riot victim Surinder Singh claimed to be an eyewitness to Jagdish Tytler leading a mob lynching three Sikhs on November 1, 1984.

The Government should have ensured protection to Jasbir by now. It would have helped him depose before the court hearing the case,''said SAD Delhi chief Avtar Singh Hit, a close lieutenant of Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal.

He said the Centre should take the responsibilty of Jasbir Singh's security to ensure that he deposes in the case as soon as possible.

A local court last week ordered the CBI to reinvestigate the anti-Sikh riots case against the former Union Minister and ensure speedy questioning of Jasbir Singh, presently settled in the US.

A CNN IBN investigation yesterday claimed that a person Surinder Singh allegedly saw Jagdish Tytler lead a mob which killed three Sikhs on November 1, 1984.

''While Jasbir Singh only heard Tytler inciting the mob to kill, Surinder Singh, hiding on the fourth floor of Gurudwara Pulbangash, actually saw the macabre killings,''the report said.

''I saw three killings by a mob led by Jagdish Tytler,''the report quoted Surinder as saying.

Tytler is said to have submitted to the CBI officials a CD yesterday. The CD is reported to have shown him present at funeral pyre of Indira Gandhi at the time when he was accused by Jasbir of leading the rampaging mob in Pulbangash area on the fateful day.

Tytler's purpose was to prove that he couldn't have been present at two places at same time.

Asked to comment on the CD submitted to the CBI by Mr Tytler, Mr Hit said,'' the CD could be fabricated for all we know. In any case, when one witness has said that he saw the man himself committing the act, then where is the need for any other proof.'' UNI