Bhaini Sahib, August 5: The Punjab Government will set up memorials in the memory of all the Kuka martyrs of freedom movement at their native villages in the state.

This was announced by the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on the occasion of a function held in continuation of a year-long state level celebrations of 150th anniversary of the first call of Independence by Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji at Sri Bhaini Sahib in Ludhiana.

Badal, after paying his gratitude to Sri Sat Guru Jagjit Singh Ji, paid tributes to Sant Gurmukh Singh, Sant Mangal Singh and Sant Mastan Singh, all the three martyrs of Saka Raikot on August 5, 1871. He also announced the setting of a community centre at Pitho village in Bathinda district, the native village, in the memory of these three brave Kukas, who had sacrificed their lives during Kuka movement. He also announced an immediate grant of Rs 10 lakh for setting up of this community centre.

While addressing a large gathering, Badal called on the Central government, the state government and the people to celebrate a National day at New Delhi in the memory of all the Punjabi martyrs, who had sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their motherland from the clutches of British rule. Badal said that Punjabis, even after being 2.5 per cent of the total population of the country, had contributed 80 per cent sacrifices during India’s freedom struggle.

While later interacting with the mediapersons, Badal said that the government was committed to augment 5000 MW power within next five years, in addition to 6200 MW power presently being generated in the state He said that within five years, Punjab would be in position to sell power to other states, after providing 24-hour electricity to every resident of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, K. Sudarshan, president, RSS, recalled the freedom struggle and the contribution of Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji. He said that being a great reformer of his time, Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji used non-cooperation movement and boycotted the British Administration, its machinery and its service, as a social and political weapons that put the British rule in a great trouble.

On this occasion, Badal released a book of Ajit Singh Namdhari titled “Jange Azadi De Marg Darshak Sri Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji Atte Namdhari Sidhant” published by Punjab Government and presented a copy of it to Sat Guru Jagjit Singh Ji. A calendar, a poetry book authored by Bib Ranjit Kaur and a book titled “History of Kukas” authored by Prof Tara Singh Anjan were also released on the occasion.

Others, who spoke on the occasion included Charanjit Singh Atwal, Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha, Avinash Rai Khanna, MP, Kuldip Singh Wadala, H S Hanspal, Prof Tara Singh Anjan, Jaswant Singh, historian, Surinder Kaur Kharal and Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal, ex-MLA.