Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today called off the indefinite Dharnas initiated by the party to protest against registration of false cases against its leaders and workers as well as denying them the right to file their nomination papers for elections to local bodies.The SAD president had led the dharna at Harike Pattan yesterday which was followed.bystatewide Dharnas at several places today.Mr Badal said he decided to call off the Dharnas after all the objectives for which they had been held had been addressed. He said the government had decided to withdraw section 307 (attempt to murder) against all 12 leaders and 90 workers in the incident at Manawala in which they had been attacked by Congress workers. He said simultaneously a case had been registered against Congress workers and five had also been arrested. He said the SHO and DSP, Zira had also been transferred and the entire issue would now be inquired by ADGP, Crime.The SAD president meanwhile apologised to the people for the inconvenience caused to them.
He said the party had to take recourse to this extreme step when it failed to get justice."The SAD is known to fight for people's causes. We were in the forefront in the fight against emergency. Even now we sat down on dharna to safeguard the fundamental rights of the people as well as ensure the rule of law was respected. We are proud we achieved this objective but regret the inconvenience caused to people even though special efforts were made to ensure the old, infirm and school children were not inconvenienced". Mr Badal also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the party workers who rose like one to protect the cause of democracy. "Party workers in thousands fought the cold elements to show solidarity with the people of Punjab whose rights were being trampled by Congress activists in the local bodies elections. I say to party workers - you have fought a clean battle in a democratic manner and won a victory for the people and shown the government that dictatorship will never be tolerated in a democratic set up".