Ensure sanctity of panchayat polls,Bajwa to SEC

“Despite repeated objections raised by Congress,the SAD-BJP alliance is adamant to vitiate the democratic process. The SEC has a greater responsibility to uphold the sanctity of constitution and ensure free and fair panchayat elections,” Bajwa told Brar.

He added that names of Congress supporters were struck of voter lists and arbitrary changes made in block samiti and zila parishad zones to benefit SAD candidates.

Bajwa,while reiterating his demand deployment of paramilitary forces at all polling stations to avoid “booth capturing and intimidation”,said: “The party has also brought to the notice of SEC the failure of the Punjab Police in depositing firearms from SAD supporters. Only 50 per cent arms were deposited,which is one major reason behind the killing of Youth Congress leader Sukhraj Singh Bhagupur,and attack on Congress MLA Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi.”

Bajwa hails Sikh man’s appointment to Pak assembly

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday welcomed the decision of Pakistan Muslim League president Nawaz Sharif to nominate Ramesh Singh Arora as the first Sikh member of Pakistan Provincial Assembly. In a statement,Bajwa said: “Sharif has made a great goodwill gesture towards the Sikh community and it will go a long way to create harmonious relations between India and Pakistan… People of Punjab in particular were grateful to Sharif for giving equal opportunity to a member of minority community.” Based in Islamabad,Arora is a social activist and a member of the Minority Commission of Pakistan.

Release jailed teachers: Jakhar urges Badal

Congress Legislative Party leader Sunil Jakhar Tuesday asked Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to order release of 148 teachers,40 of them women,from Faridkot jail and withdraw false cases against them.

“It is regrettable that the state government is not concerned about children waiting for release of their mothers who were arrested for seeking payment of salary for the past 13 months during a peaceful protest at Bathinda on May 1,” Jakhar said in a press statement.

“It is shameful that SAD leaders demand release of dreaded terrorists who were convicted for triggering bomb blasts and gunning down innocent people on humanitarian grounds but has locked justice-seeking innocent CSS,RMSA and SSA teachers in jails to shut their mouth. Even when the apex court and Punjab and Haryana High Court have lashed out at Punjab government for atrocities on women in Tarn Taran,Patiala and Amritsar,there has been no change in their callous attitude,” Jakhar said. He added that SAD and BJP have been “shedding crocodile tears” only while assuring women would remain safe in Punjab.