Amb Sahib/ Chandigarh (December 21, 2013): The Sikh Organization of Prisoners’ Welfare (SOPW) has declared that 3 Sikh political prisoners in Burrail Jail have decided to accept the parole (temporary release) granted to them by the concerned authorities.
SOPW has posted on the wall of its Facebook’s fans: “** BREAKING NEWS – PAROLE RELEASE GIVEN TO ‘BURAIL JAIL THREE’ **”
“Following recent developments, our SOPW Representative RP Singh and two legal experts – Amar Singh Chahal and Harpal Singh Cheema, went to Burail Jail, along with the families of the three Singh’s – Shamsher Singh, Gurmit Singh, Lakhwinder Singh. Lengthy discussions took place about the legal aspects surrounding permanent release and the authorities explained the procedure that needs to followed. It was decided that it is in the best interests of the three, to come out on parole in the first instance and then continue with the necessary steps to turn it into a permanent release” SOPW’s status reads further.
According to the UK based prisoners’ welfare organization: “[b]y late evening (India time), the three, agreed and signed the documents, but due to the lateness, they were unable to be released tonight. The jail authorities have said they will try to arrange their release for tomorrow, although this is not usually done on a Sunday, otherwise, they should definitely be able to return home on Monday”.
It is notable that Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa is on indefinite hunger strike since November 14, 2013 seeking release of 6 political prisoners kept behind the bars in Indian beyond the terms of their sentences.
It is notable that one, Bhai Lal Singh, was released on parole of 6 weeks last evening, while the release of three – Gurmeet Singh, Shamsher Singh and Lakhwinder Singh is expected soon.
Meanwhile, Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) sources revealed that efforts are on to secure pre-mature release or parole for remaining two Sikh prisoners namely – Wariam Singh (in UP) and Gurdeep Singh Khaira (in Karnataka).