The SADD welcomed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's gesture to set free Wing-Commander Abhinandan Varthaman

NEW DELHI, Mar 2: The SADD welcomed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's gesture to set free Wing-Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, saying the Modi government should now also act to release Sikh prisoners languishing in various jails of the country under draconian TADA charges. "A number of Sikhs have served their TADA sentences. A number of Sikhs are still undergoing trial in judicial custody under the draconian law, which was repealed long back," SADD chief Paramjit Singh Sarna said. 

Pakistan PM Imran Khan

"The central home ministry must take up their cases on a priority. If Pakistan can set free our pilot it held captive in this tense bilateral situation, why can't our own government release TADA Sikh prisoners in our own country?" Sardar Sarna called upon both the central and the Punjab governments to work out a plan for setting free the Sikhs who were jailed during the unrest in the state, mostly under false TADA charges.

IAF Pilot Abhinandan

"Such a gesture by our own government will raise its international profile on the human-rights front. It will match prime minister Imran Khan's gesture that aimed at de-escalating the India-Pakistan standoff. The Modi government should take the first step to heal Punjab's wounds and release TADA Sikh prisoners as soon as possible," Sardar Sarna said.