Former militant and senior leader of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Panch Pradhani slammed the Parkash Singh Badal-led government saying that the fear of losing the upcoming SGPC elections was forcing them to attack the Panthic forces.

Bittu who was arrested in August this year after Balbir Singh Bhootna, another former ultra, named Bittu in reviving violence in Punjab, was presented in the court today. The court has extended Bittu’s remand to November 19. Bhootna was arrested in July after he opened fire at the local railway station killing a stall owner. In his interrogation, Bhootna had claimed that it was Bittu who was financing separatist activities in Punjab .

Slamming the state government, Bittu said, “Basically the SAD(B) is scared of losing the SGPC elections at our hands and that is why it is trying to weaken us by keeping some of us in jail. But we will not let the government succeed in its nefarious plans. The Panthic forces will put up a fight against the SAD (B) dominance and purge the SGPC, which at present is not working at all as a religious body but as a body that works for the Badal family, “ added Bittu.

On the Bandh call given by the hardliners last Tuesday, Bittu said, “The success of this Bandh shows that the people have faith in us and want us to fight for justice. How can a government go scot free after killing thousands of Sikhs,” questioned Bittu.

... contd.