Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced extension of the party's ongoing dharna at Harike Pattan in Ferozepur indefinitely to protest against registration of false cases against its leaders and workers at the instance of the Congress government as well as the non-cancellation of the election process at four places where Akali workers were not allowed to file their nomination papers.A party spokesman here said the SAD president, who is presently camping in Harike Patan after addressing a massive dharna at Manawala in Ferozepur to protest against false cases registered against party leaders and workers, has decided to extend the ongoing dharna at Harike Pattan indefinitely.The SAD president also served an ultimatum to the Congress government to withdraw all false cases registered against party workers yesterday after Congress goondas attacked and shot at Akali leaders including Vardev Singh Mann, Avtar Singh Zira and Joginder Jindu when they were proceeding to meet the Election Observer.
He also demanded registration of cases against Congress leaders who had attacked Akali workers yesterday and indulged in arson. He said since the local police including DSP, Zira and concerned SHO were in collusion with Congress goons and had facilitated the murderous attack on the SAD leaders, they should be suspended immediately. He said the role of Bathinda IG M S Chhinna in victimizing Akali workers and ordering false cases against them should also be probed pending which he should be transferred immediately.The SAD president also demanded immediate countermanding of elections in the nagar panchayats of Manawala and Makhu besides municipalities of Baghapurana and Ghanaur. He said at all these places Akali workers were prevented from filing their nomination papers forcibly and that even their nomination papers were torn.Mr Badal said in case the government did not take these steps immediately the SAD would be forced to extend the scope of its agitation which was currently taking place only in Harike Patan.