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Sarna too pleads for blacklisted Sikhs, reaches across to Preneet  

PATIALA: On a plea from Paramjit Singh Sarna, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president, Union Minister for State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur has forwarded to the Home Ministry his application seeking a revision of the "black list" of Sikhs living abroad who could face prosecution if they entered India.

The list said to have been prepared about 15 years ago still has over 30 persons -around five living in the UK, 10-12 in Canada, 4-5 in the US and around 10 in Pakistan. They are accused of various antinational or terrorist activities.

Preenet Kaur said the Union Home Ministry would deal with the issue as the rules and laws pertaining to the matter were handled by that ministry. Her ministry came into picture only in implementing those regulations, she added.

However, she said, "In case any good can come from my efforts, I will not hesitate."

Sarna said it was a tedious matter, but the issued had to be resolved as those living abroad in virtual exile had long ago abandoned the agenda for which they were blacklisted.

"Many have approached me and want to settle in India after assurance they would not have to face criminal charges," Sarna said.

It would also be much easier to keep an eye on these people once they were in India, Sarna said by way of alienating apprehensions in the minds of authorities.

While several initiatives have been taken in the past regarding the issue, nothing concrete has happened. The Home Ministry has also not made the "list" public.  

Seven names removed from list 

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has claimed that the Union Home Ministry has informed him that seven names were recently taken off the black list after inquiries found no substantial charges against them. Khaira has been taking up the cases of blacklisted NRIs from his Bholath constituency in Kapurthala.

14 October 2009
 

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