Giving a new turn to the issue of Punjabis languishing in the Texas (US) jail, union minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur has said they have sought asylum on the plea that they fled Punjab and Gujarat due to the fear of the ruling parties’ governments.
Citizens from Punjab and Gujarat have cited the same reasons in their asylum petitions, Preneet Kaur claimed, while stating that, “Is this the Punjab and Gujarat model, which the SAD-BJP combine wants to implement in the country?” She said it was a classic case highlighting the extent to which citizens are being victimised in Punjab by the state government that youths have fled for fear of victimisation, repression and persecution.
“I have come to know from our US mission that Punjabi boys who were lodged in the Texas jails have sought asylum in the US by submitting that they don’t want to go back to Punjab because of political repression,” she said.
Congress candidate from Patiala Preneet Kaur at an election rally in Bahadurgarh on Saturday.
She added that apart from 37 Punjabis, there are several Gujarati citizens who have also cited the same reason for seeking asylum in the US.
{{/usCountry}}She added that apart from 37 Punjabis, there are several Gujarati citizens who have also cited the same reason for seeking asylum in the US.
{{/usCountry}}In asylum petitions they have blamed that they were being targeted by police and other citizens, which prompted them to flee, said the Mos for external affairs.
She said the Indian external affairs ministry has provided counselor access to all Indians languishing in processing centres of the US Immigration and Custom Enforcement, Texas, since July 2013.
‘FUNDS DIVERTED TO BATHINDA’
Sanaur: A day after de puty chief minister Sukhbir Badal addressed rallies in Patiala, Preneet Kaur held rallies in the same areas. Addressing two rallies at Bahadugarh and Sanaur, she said most of the funds meant for Patiala were diverted to Bathinda.