Morcha fighting for Hawara parole says talks with Centre stalled after Chandigarh protest

The parole process for Jagtar Singh Hawara, convicted for assassinating former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, has been halted following a clash between Qaumi Insaaf Morcha and Chandigarh Police on August 15, according to Morcha leaders and Hawara's lawyer. Pal Singh France, Morcha's convener, stated that neither the Ministry of Home Affairs nor jail authorities have contacted Hawara since the Independence Day protest in Mandoli jail. Hawara had been in talks with authorities regarding parole to visit his ailing mother.

The Morcha had marched towards Chandigarh on August 15, demanding the release of Bandi Singhs, including Hawara, but were halted at the Chandigarh-Mohali border by UT Police using tear gas. France alleged that Chandigarh Police personnel entered Punjab territory in Mohali to disperse the protesters with tear gas shells, and the Morcha intends to take legal action against the police. This incident arises from a jurisdictional dispute over Hawara's parole application involving Delhi, Chandigarh, and Punjab.

Hawara, currently in Mandoli jail, requested parole to meet his ailing mother. The Punjab and Haryana High Court initially directed Mandoli Jail Superintendent to forward his application to Chandigarh Home Secretary, who was to submit comments before Mandoli authorities decided. Hawara was sentenced to death in the Beant Singh assassination case in 2007, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2010.

Political support for his parole came from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who wrote to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who also serves as Chandigarh Administrator, backing a 10-parole to allow Hawara to meet his mother. The support extended to include former Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, now with the BJP.