CHANDIGARH: The 42-year old convict, Gurmeet Singh, in the assassination of former Punjab CM, Beant Singh, on Wednesday stepped out from Model Burail jail. Bhai Gurmeet Singh, who was behind bars for last 18-years, accompanying his mother and two sisters was straight away taken to Amb Sahib Gurudwara, where he was given arousing welcome by hundreds of people gathered in the support of Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa who was on fast-unto-death.
Though not much supporters were presented outside Burail jail, security was beefed up and two first gates of jails were locked. Jail sources said parole orders of Gurmeet along with two sureties bound of Rs 1 lakh each had been delivered to jail authorities by a team of Punjab police on Tuesday night. The convict too was conveyed his release for 28 days on parole last night.
The enthusiasm among people at Amb Sahib Gurudwara has gone up as an SUV, in which Gurmeet was sitting, escorting by a Punjab police gypsy, entered premises of Amb Sahib Gurudwara and people started raising religious slogans. Prior before meeting, Gurbaksh SinghKhalsa, who was camping in room number 8 of gurudwara, Gurmeet paid ‘ardass’ before Guru Granth Sahib and later meet Khalsa.
The two spend over half-and-hours together in the presence of kin of Gurmeet and other panthic members and media was kept away from this confidential meeting. Later, Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, Gurmeet Singh and others appeared before media.
Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa said, “I demanded the immediate release of six Singhs, who had passed their imprisonment but still confined in different jails. Akal Thakat has ordered me to end my fast-unto-death and I am going to end it on Thursday. Three Sikhs have been release and others included Lakhwinder and Shamsher Singh will be released shortly as Parkash Singh Badal led state government has assured Akal Thakat.”
On the specific question that either Gurmeet was permanently release from jail or only for 28 days, Gurbaksh stressed that Gurmeet now will never returned to jail. Contrary to Gurbaksh, released convict Gurmeet did not speak too much before media and made limited replies to media queries.
Later, Akal Thakhat Jathedar, Gurbachan Singh, along with other Sikh leaders addressed the media and appreciated the role of state government.
Source: TOI