Punjab assembly mourns death of Khalistani idealogue

Chandigarh, June 19 (UNI) The Punjab Vidhan Sabha today mourned the death of Jagjit Singh Chohan, a former Deputy Speaker of the House, who later lent support to the 'Khalistan' movement for a seprate Sikh state.

The House also paid tributes to former legislators, Kirpal Singh Libra and Sadhu Singh and freedom fighters Budh Singh, Dalip Singh, Kartar Singh and Niranjan Singh.

Moving a condolence motion on the opening day of the Budget Session of the Vidhan Sabha here, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal described Chohan, who also remained Finance Minister of the state, as a towering political personality. Chohan was elected to the Vidhan Sabha on the Akali Dal ticket from the Tanda assembly constituency.

Leader of the Opposition and Congress leader, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal also expressed grief over the demise of Chohan.

However when she made a reference to the separatist activities of Chohan, Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon had her remarks expunged.

Mr Badal also paid rich tributes to former House members, Kirpal Singh Libra and Sadhu Singh. The condolence motion moved by the Chief Minister was suppported by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Tikshan Sood.

During the motion, the Speaker had to intervene when Mrs Bhattal made a reference to the suicide by three members of a family at Noormahal in Jalandhar district which led to public protests and police firing in which one person was killed. The Speaker asked the Leader of the Opposition to confine herself to the condolence motion.

UNI