Bittu appeals Khalsa to end his fast
Sunday, 02/08/2015
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LUDHIANA: Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu has appealed to Sikh activist Surat Singh Khalsa to end his fast in the interest of peace in Punjab.
Sikh activist Surat Singh Khalsa in a Ludhiana hospital.
Bittu visited Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) where Khalsa has been admitted and tried to meet him, but police did not allow him to enter the hospital. Bittu, along with Congressmen, sent a message to Khalsa through police officials.
Bittu said Khalsa’s demand is not justified and the agitation initiated by him is misleading people. He said the judiciary is supreme and in case the court ordered the release of prisoners, then there should be no debate on this. Bittu said Khalsa would be held responsible in case there is a terrorist activity in Punjab by the Khalistan supporters. Referring to the terrorist attack in Gurdaspur, Bittu said there is an alarming situation in Punjab and Khalsa’s agitation would add fuel to the fire.
Bittu said the prosperity of any community is possible only in a peaceful atmosphere, adding that certain forces inimical to the hard-earned peace in the state were eagerly waiting across the border to push Punjab back to the dark days of terrorism. He said the state government is not taking the issue seriously and no efforts had been made to end the agitation.
EMERGENCY SERVICES AFFECTED
The emergency services at the DMCH were affected as the police closed the gates of the hospital an hour before the Congressmen led by Bittu arrived there.
Heavy police force was deployed there since morning and around noon the gates of the hospital were closed. Bittu reached the DMCH at 1pm while his supporters gathered in a park opposite the hospital from 11am.
After the gates were closed, a traffic jam was witnessed outside the hospital and even many members the hospital staff were denied entry. Bittu, later, apologised for the harassment to patients and visitors at the hospital.