Court ignored Sikh sentiments in Beant case: Akal Takht

Amritsar, July 31 (UNI) Reacting to the death sentence awarded to Jagtar Singh Hawara and Balwant Singh, the Akal Takht today said ''Sikh sentiments had not been kept in mind while pronouncing the judgement''.

The two Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorists were sentenced to death, while three of their associates were handed out life imprisonment in the Beant Singh assassination case by a Special CBI Court in Chandigarh this afternoon.

'' The Court did not keep in mind the circumstances which led to the assassination,'' Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vidanti said in a statement here this evening.

'' The Sikh psyche had been hurt following 'Operation Bluestar' and the attack and destruction of various Sikh shrines. Moreover, a large number of Sikhs were massacred in November 1984, that had hurt the communities sentiments'', the statement added.

The Jathedar lamented that so far no action had been taken against those responsible for the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and other crimes on the community.

UNI