Punjab deluge: Waris Punjab De calls for ‘flood bail’ for Amritpal Singh; urges Centre to release MPLAD funds

TARN TARAN: The Akali Dal Waris Punjab De has urged a minimum of one-month parole for jailed Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, stating that his release will allow him to assess the flood situation in his constituency, Khadoor Sahib, and provide necessary assistance even as the party has already established several relief camps to support those affected by the floods.Amritpal's father Tarsem Singh on Wednesday informed that several villages in the Khadoor Sahib constituency were submerged, resulting in extensive damage to crops, agricultural land, and livestock, and bringing immense hardship to the local residents. A large number of people were displaced from their homes and are now living in temporary shelters, he said."If the local MP was present, he would personally oversee the relief and assistance efforts, but unfortunately, Amritpal is behind bars for the last three years under the National Security Act," said Tarsem Singh.He said it was the time when the constituents of the Khadoor Sahib needed their MP the most. Tarsem Singh, said the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De had formally requested Union home minister Amit Shah to grant a minimum one-month parole to Amritpal, enabling him to personally oversee relief efforts and provide assistance to the people of his constituency."We have also urged the central govt to release Amritpal Singh's MPLAD funds, which can be utilised for the repair of damaged houses, schools, and to provide essential medical services in the flood-affected areas," he added.Tarsem Singh further said the party had appealed to the Union home minister to announce a special relief package for Punjab, given the widespread devastation caused by the floods. "We have written to the home minister and are hopeful that he will pay attention to our letter," he said.Meanwhile, highlighting the dire need for medical support, Dr Avtar Singh from Amandeep Hospital has established a medical dispensary, operating from dawn to dusk, providing treatment and essential medicines to over 300 people daily. "We must remain vigilant about the possible outbreak of waterborne diseases once the floodwaters recede," Dr Singh cautioned.Tarsem Singh said the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De had set up over a dozen relief camps across several flood-hit districts, including Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, and Pathankot, to distribute relief materials and address the urgent needs of the affected population.