US Sikh leaders thank Rajnath Singh for releasing Waryam Singh

NEW DELHI: A delegation of Sikh-American leaders has met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and thanked him for ordering the release of Waryam Singh, who was imprisoned for 25 years under TADA.

The delegation also thanked the Home Minister for the award of additional compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims and welcomed the decision for reconstituting an SIT to start a fresh probe into the anti- Sikh riots.

They said these steps were a reflection that the Narendra Modi government was committed to Sikh causes, sources said.

Waryam Singh's release was ordered by Home Minister on Monday on the grounds that his conduct throughout the prison term of 25 years had been impeccable and also that he was 70 years of age.

Singh is one of 13 Sikh prisoners whose release has been demanded by the SAD-BJP government in Punjab, which had also petitioned the Home Minister in this regard.