Punjab seeks more time to verify Maharaja Ranjit Singh site

Chandigarh, Nov 29 (UNI) The Punjab government has prayed the Punjab and Haryana High Court for a six-month extension to verify the claim that village Aasron of Nawanshahar district held important association with the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Punjab's secretary-cum-director for Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums Jagjit Puri, submitted the plea in connection with the claim that at Aasron, Maharaja Ranjit Singh had hoisted his flag and retained his forces before holding talks with Lord William Benttick on October 26, 1831 on the banks of river Sutlej.

On July 31 directive of the High Court, the Punjab government had appointed a two-member committee of Prof S M Verma and Dr Nazar Singh, reader in the Department of History, Punjabi University, Patiala to ascertain the authenticity of the claim made by Punjab Heritage and Education Foundation headed by Principal Gurbax Singh Shergill.

Though the team had submitted its report last month but in view of the importance of the issue, the state government wanted to consult some other sources also before arriving at a decision, Mr Puri submitted.

UNI XC JN MS RN2110