Shiromani Akali Dal to organise political rally in Sunam

Fatehgarh Sahib, Aug 18 (UNI) Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann today announced that his party would hold a political rally on August 22 at Sunam to protest against the death sentences awarded to Jagtar Singh Hawara and Balwant Singh and Mohammad Afzal.

Mr Mann, who was last night released along with other party activists from Central Jail, Ludhiana after over three months, was talking to media persons at his residence Quila Harnam Singh Mann.

Mr Mann also said that his party would not allow controversial Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarewale to observe his birth anniversary function on August 23 in Rupnager district.

He stressed that his party was against Bhaniarewale and would not allow birth anniversaries of such ''controversial babas'' to be observed in grand scale.

He alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his family members were ''protecting'' people like Bhaniarewale. He also held Mr Badal responsible for the Dera Sacha Saudha row.

Now his party would play the actual role of opposition as leaders of Congress, BSP, CPI, CPM and Lok Bhalai Party had failed to fulfil their responsibility as the opposition, Mr Mann claimed.

Commenting on the witnesses turning hostile in the disproportionate assets case against Mr Badal, Mr Mann demanded a probe into the matter and said police cases should be registered either against these persons or against the police officials, who they claim had ''pressurised'' them earlier.

UNI