New Delhi - Survivors and relatives of victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, besides activists of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), clashed with police here on Thursday, after Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna took a decision to commute the life sentence of Kishori Lal, who was convicted for the murder of eight Sikhs.
The protests took place outside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Family members of the 1984 riot victims, survivors and political activists expressed both shock and anger over Khanna's decision.
The protesters broke barricades around the Dikshit residence and demanded justice.
Khanna's decision to send the case again to the State Review Board was followed by opposition by a section of the Sikh community.
Kishori Lal, 48, a former butcher from Trilokpuri in East Delhi, was accused of stabbing several people to death in the neighbourhood during the riots.
Kishori Lal was picked on grounds of good conduct by the jail authorities, who then approached the Sentence Review Board (SRB). The SRB recommended that he be released from jail and given a chance ‘to reform himself’.
H.S. Phulka, the lawyer representing the 1984 riot victims said: “He was convicted in not one, but three cases. How could the government forgive him? I am shocked by the decision.”
Avtaar Singh Makkar, a riot survivor, said, “We oppose the shortening of his life sentence. Government is playing games with us.”
| Other Articles: |
 |
Shabnam Asthana wins India's top public relations award (17th Feb, 2012) |
|
MI-17 V5 helicopter to be inducted into IAF tomorrow (17th Feb, 2012) |
|
Probe intensifies but no headway in Monday bombing (17th Feb, 2012) |
|
'Sleazegate' ministers reply to speaker's notice (17th Feb, 2012) |
|
Counting for Maharashtra civic polls begins (17th Feb, 2012) |
|
Meet to discuss Rabi wheat procurement (17th Feb, 2012) |
|
To track ill-gotten assets, Bihar ready to cross borders (17th Feb, 2012) |
|
BJP hits out at PM's 'deafening silence' (17th Feb, 2012) |
|
India to induct latest Russian military chopper (17th Feb, 2012) |
|
Srinagar-Jammu highway re-opened to traffic (17th Feb, 2012) |
|
Curb wastage, cut pollution to tackle water disputes: experts (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
Experts advice against vertical development of Delhi (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
Mumbai airport ranked third for 'service quality' (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
Gorkha leaders seek Mizoram CM's support (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
Railways to get new coach manufacturing plant (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
After Khurshid, another minister promises quotas in UP (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
Himachal court summons Karmapa over currency row (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
Two shot dead by Italian ship personnel, Kerala announces relief (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
In Tagore's footsteps: S.H. Raza fortune lights up Indian arts space (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
Indian students, teachers leave for Pakistan (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
Moderate quake hits Nicobar Islands (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
Mock drill conducted in Delhi (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
Notice to government over re-appointment of Jamia Hamdard VC (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
NGO to campaign against discrimination to HIV students (16th Feb, 2012) |
|
Carnival celebrations allowed in Goa, with poll rider (16th Feb, 2012) |
Today : Sunday - May 27, 2012, 01:24am (GMT+5.5)
