Cheema calls on Khalsa, enquires about his health

Punjab education minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson Dr Daljit Singh Cheema on Thursday night visited fasting Sikh hardliner Surat Singh Khalsa at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) to enquire about his health.

Punjab education minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson Dr Daljit Singh Cheema on Thursday night visited fasting Sikh hardliner Surat Singh Khalsa at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) to enquire about his health.

Khalsa's daughter Sarvinder Kaur said the Punjab minister was silent on fresh ruling of the Supreme Court on release of life convicts. Kaur said Dr Cheema asked the family if it wanted any help from the state government. The family has urged chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to intervene to ensure release of Sikh prisoners.

Khalsa's daughter claimed her father has removed the drip from his arm in protest and has not taken a drop of water since police had forcefully sent him to the civil hospital. Civil surgeon Dr Renu Chhatwal, however, said Khalsa's condition was improving.

Mann shouts slogans

High Drama prevailed at DMCH as police stopped SAD (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann from meeting Khalsa. Mann, along with his followers, raised slogans against the state government. Mann alleged the Badals were against the release of Sikh prisoners from jail. He said police have no right to stop anyone from meeting an ailing person. Police have been harassing people and Khalsa's supporters, claimed Mann. Later, Mann was allowed to meet Khalsa.

Senior Congress leader Sukhpal Khaira, who was not allowed to meet Khalsa, said the Badals have been posing as dictators and stopping people from meeting the fasting activist.