Remove Tript Bajwa over his ‘links with SFJ’: Kahlon
Former speaker seeks CBI probe against minister; Bajwa refutes allegations
AMRITSAR: Former speaker of Punjab legislative assembly, Nirmal Singh Kahlon, has demanded from the state government to immediately sack rural and urban development minister Tript Rajinder Bajwa over his alleged ‘links with Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)’, who organised ‘Referendum-2020’, here on Saturday
“Besides removing Bajwa, the state government should also get him booked under sedition charges for involving in anti-national activities,” said the senior SAD leader while addressing a press conference, here.
Kahlon said, “Bajwa has good relations with SFJ’s mastermind Avtar Singh Pannu.” “Avtar’s brother Balwinder Singh, also District Congress Committee, Gurdaspur, vice-president, is Bajwa’s right hand. He has been organising Bajwa’s meetings with Avtar in London,” he said. He said, “Punjab government should conduct a CBI inquiry and probe his links with ProKhalistani leaders.”
He said, “When Bajwa visited America in 2016, he stayed at Amrik’s house. During his recent visit (August 5 to 7) to London, he met SFJ legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannu and Avtar there ahead of the ‘Referendum-2020’, held on August 12.”
Bajwa planed the ‘Referendum-2020’ event with the SFJ leaders there, he alleged.
Avtar and Gurpatwant Singh Pannu are on the radar of Indian agencies for their pro-Khalistan activities.
He said, “Avtar is Punjab DSP, Harjinder Singh Gill’s brotherin-law. Gill was part of the team that opened fire at Sikh men protesting at Behbal Kalan against sacrilege in October, 2015.”
“Two people were killed in the incident. But, Gill’s name was missing in the list of officials, against whom the FIR was recommended by Justice Ranjit Singh Commission,” he said.
“Bajwa has been providing funding the protestors of Bargari protest through Avtar,” he said.
Refuting all the allegations, Bajwa said, “Balwinder belongs to my constituency and is like my younger brother but I don’t have any link with his brother Avtar.”
“I went to the UK to attend my granddaughter’s marriage and Avtar was also there, but, this does not mean I am involved in planning ‘Referendum-2020’. ”
“If Kahlon has any issue against me, he should lodge an FIR. I am ready for any kind of inquiry,” said Bajwa.