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Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana

Large scale arrests of Sikh activists expected in Punjab tonight

Ludhaina, Punjab (March 28, 2012): The Punjab police has tightened the grip on Sikhs in Punjab, and a number of Sikhs are arrested today. Sikh leaders of Nawanshehr district who were arrested yesterday, were able to secure bail today but they were rearrested.

Observations on developments on Rajoana Case: Indian judiciary’s intentions under question

New Delhi, India (March 29, 2012): Indian judiciary's intentions does not seem to be good for Punjab and it's people. Indian Courts that failed to nail culprits of major human rights violations, including those occurred with in it's vicinity – such as Sikh genocide 1984, are proactive in issuing “observations” on current situation in Punjab. As per reports Supreme Court sharply criticised the move against death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana. Punjab government headed by Parkash Singh Badal is reported to have come under sharp criticism from Supreme court of India.

More Sikhs arrested in Amritsar; Sikh bodies condemned police atrocities and killing of Sikh youth in Gurdaspur

Amritsar, Punjab (March 29, 2012): Ten Sikhs are reported to have been arrested by the Amritsar police. Confirming the arrest of ten Sikhs, Police Commissioner Amritdsar R.P. Mittal said that these were arrested under the "preventive measures" of under section of 107/51 IPC.

Sikh boy killed by police in Gurdaspur – Curfew imposed; Shiv Sena attack Sikhs in Patiala, Phagwara

Gurdaspur/Patiala, Punjab (March 29, 2012): As per information available from various sources the police today opened fire on Sikhs who had gathered at a Gurudwara Sahib in Gurdaspur to prevent right wing Hindu organization Shiv Sena from burning effigy of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, a Sikh political prisoner who is on death row.

Shiv sena activists burn kesri turban?

Ludhiana, Punjab (March 29, 2012): A video has appeared on Social Networking website YouTube which shows that alleged members of Hindu community and Shiv Sena burned a “Kesri” turban. Twenty nine seconds video shows hair cut persons speaking in Punjabi burned a Kesri turban and ruined it in their feet. This is an act of massive provocation but the police did not stop these persons.

Punjab: Political dissent put in prison – Sikh leaders arrested on mass scale

Ludhiana, Punjab (March 29, 2012): As per reports, arrests of Sikh leaders were carried out at large scale yesterday. The Punjab police initiated the crackdown on political opponents of ruling Badal Dal at around afternoon and arrests were made till late night. Some reports suggest that police is still looking for many Sikh leaders who have gone underground to avoid arrests and undue harassment.

KPS Gill favours hanging of Bhai Rajoana; opposed steps for his release

Chandigarh, Punjab (March 29, 2012): As per media reports former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP), KPS Gill, during whose tenure former chief minister Beant Singh was assassinated in 1995, termed the efforts to save Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana from gallows as “perversion of system”.

Bhai Rajoana hanging: After stay news Sikh leaders arrested by Punjab police;

Ludhiana/Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab (March 28, 2012): As per information available with Sikh Siyasat, Punjab government led by Badal-BJP combine has instructed the Punjab police to arrest Sikh leaders. Police has already arrested Sikh leader Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema and S. Jasvir Singh Kandoor. Bhai Daljit Singh is chairman of Akali Dal Panch Pardhani, while Bhai Cheema and Kandoor are secretaries of Panch Pardhani.

Execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana Stayed? Need to remain vigilant

New Delhi, India (March 28, 2012): Indian media with reference to news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) is reporting that Central Government of India has stayed the execution of death sentence of Sikh prisoner Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. Reports are suggesting that the President of India has sent the Presidential review petition filed by Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee and others, is sent to Ministry of Home Affairs (GOI) for it's recommendations, which has resulted in automatic stay. It is further said that the stay shall remain in operation until some decision on review petition is formed. ...

Thousands protested at Birmingham against hanging of Sikh prisoner Balwant Singh Rajoana in India

Birmingham, England (March 28, 2012): As per inforamtion available with Sikh Siyasat about thousand people have protested in Birmingham against an execution scheduled to take place in India on Saturday. Balwant Singh Rajoana is due to be hanged for his part in the 1995 murder of Punjab's Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was considered to be responsible for mass level massacre of civilian Sikh population.

Punjab Bandh: Police remove 3 injured Sikhs from hospital, took them to CIA staff Patiala

Patiala, Punjab (March 28, 2012): As per latest information available with "Sikh Siyasat" three injured Sikhs, who were admitted at Rajindra Hospital Patiala for treatment, are removed by a police party. Police party arrived at hospital in the evening and took three Sikhs from Emergency ward and took them away. Police informed that it was taking Sikhs to "City police station" for some inquiry purpose. But sources of Sikh Siyasat have confirmed information that these Sikhs were taken to CIA staff Patiala instead of City police station.

Clash at Patiala: Injured Sikhs admitted to Rajindra Hospital; Two critical

Patiala, Punjab (March 28, 2012): As per recent information available with Sikh Siyasat at least four injured Sikhs are admitted in Rajindra hospital; situation of two is reported to be critical. A severe clash took place at Arya Samaj Chowk, Patiala between protesting Sikhs and activists of Hindu extremist organization Shiv Sena.

Punjab Bandh: Clashs at Arya Samaj Patiala; five injured, situation tense

Patiala, Punjab (March 28, 2012): As per reports clashes between protesting Sikhs and members of another community near Arya Samaj area of Patiala has turned the situtation tense in the city where Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana is lodged at Central Jail.

Canadian Sikhs applaud MP Jasbir Sandhu and NDP Caucus

Ottawa, Canada (March 27, 2012): Following a petition campaign organized by the Canadian Sikh Coalition, Jasbir Sandhu, NDP MP from Surrey North, addressed Canadian Parliament today with regards to the looming execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana to which he received a standing ovation. Canadian Sikhs applaud this initiative of the NDP caucus.

Punjab Bandh: Total shutdown in Punjab against proposed execution of Bhai Rajoana

Jalandhar, Punjab (March 28, 2012): As per reports from across the Punjab a day-long bandh (shut-down) called by Joint Committee formed by various Sikh Organizations to protest the proposed execution of Sikh political prisoner Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted in the Punjab CM Beant Singh assassination case, has normal life in Punjab to stand still.

Halt execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana: Human Rights Watch

New York (March 28, 2012): The Indian government should halt the hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who has been on death row since August 2007 for the assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, Human Rights Watch said today. On March 27, 2012, a court in Chandigarh, Punjab refused a request for a stay of execution and ordered that the hanging proceed on March 31.

Punjab bandh: impact of shutdown call visible since early hours

Patiala, Punjab (March 28, 2012): Punjab bandh called by Sikh organisations to protest against proposed hanging of Sikh political prisoner Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana is visible in terms of it's impact on routine life in Punjab since early hours. On March 27 at around 5pm when the news spread that Chandigarh court has again ordered the hanging of Bhai Rajoana on March 31, 2012 the markets in Amritsar, Patiala and other cities begun to shut down.

Jail superintendent refuses death warrants of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana again

Chandigarh/Patiala, Punjab (March 28, 2012): The superintendent of Central Jail, Patiala, again refused to accept the death warrants of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana on March 27. In a release issued by the Punjab government, the superintendent has pleaded the additional sessions judge Chandigarh that he “unable and disabled in law” to accept warrants of death against Balwant Singh Rajoana and refused to accept the same. He told the court that he was approaching the higher court for appropriate next step in the case.

LFHRI seeks stay from Supreme Court of India on hanging of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana; likely to be heard on Friday

New Delhi, India (March 27, 2011): Lawyers for Human Rights International (LFHRI) today moved the Supreme Court of India seeking stay on the execution of death sentence of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana who was convicted for the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The petition is likely to be listed for hearing on Friday, a media report adds.

Court reorders hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana on 31 March; Jail superintendent charged with contempt

Chandigarh, Punjab (March 27, 2012): Chandigarh Additional District and Sessions Judge Shalini Nagpal on Tuesday ordered the hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana, the assassin of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, on March 31, and also issued contempt of court notices to the jail superintendent and other jail officials of the Patiala jail for forwarding Rajoana's death warrant to her court, saying the jail could not carry out Rajoana's execution because the case was weak legally.

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