Jhinda to meet Haryana CM over Panjokhra lathi charge incident

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Jhinda says 25-member delegation will meet Haryana CM over Panjokhra lathi-charge; decision on  August 25 highway blockade to be taken after talks with the CM

Chandigarh, August 18

Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) president Jagdish Singh Jhinda on Tuesday said the proposed August 25 highway blockade in Ambala over the lathi charge on members of the Sikh community at Panjokhra would be reviewed after a meeting with the Haryana Chief Minister.

Addressing a press conference at the historic Gurdwara Sri Nada Sahib, Jhinda said a 25-member delegation of the HSGMC would meet the Chief Minister at 5 pm on Tuesday to discuss the incident and the Sikh community’s demands.

Jhinda said community members had been demanding action against those responsible for the incident. However, when protesters were preparing to end their demonstration, police allegedly resorted to a lathi charge.

He claimed that he too sustained serious injuries in the incident and said such an incident had never happened with the Sikh community in its history.

Jhinda clarified that he did not believe the Haryana Chief Minister had ordered the lathi charge and demanded an inquiry to establish whose instructions led to the action against the protesters.

He said the committee had earlier announced a highway blockade on August 25, but would decide its next steps after Tuesday’s meeting with the Chief Minister. He added that only members of the 25-member Haryana committee would attend the meeting and no member from Punjab would participate.

Jhinda also referred to a written apology submitted by Gursimran Mand in connection with the matter. He said the committee would consider the apology and take an appropriate decision.

On reports regarding his possible arrest, Jhinda said he was ready to cooperate with the police.

“If the police want to arrest me, they should call me. I will surrender myself. I should not be defamed or targeted unnecessarily,” he said.

Jhinda said the committee would announce its next strategy after assessing the outcome of the meeting with the Chief Minister.