CHANDIGARH: The controversy surrounding the Punjab Government's proposal to allocate land to Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) at a concession claimed its first casualties on Wednesday when the president of the State unit of the Congress, Shamsher Singh Dullo, ordered suspension of three senior party leaders and referred the case of fourth to the All-India Congress Committee for disciplinary action.

Disclosing this here on Wednesday evening, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Raj Pal Singh said those suspended include former president of Moga district unit of the party, Tara Singh Sandhu, former chairman of the State-owned PUNCOM, Kulbir Singh Sidhu from Bathinda, and farmers' activist Harinder Pal Singh alias Harry Mann from Patiala. The case of Manjit Singh Jhalbuti has been referred to the AICC.

The three have been suspended from primary membership of the party with immediate effect for their alleged anti-party activities. While Mr. Dullo's notice has no reference to Mr. Brar, the latter's supporters have been asked to explain their position within seven days, failing which proceedings for their expulsion from the party would be initiated. Dr. Sandhu, Mr. Sidhu and Mr. Mann through a joint statement said that the decision was partisan and demanded similar action against all those who held press conferences and issued statements after Mr. Dullo directed them against going public on the issue.

They also appealed for a CBI inquiry into the acts of `commission and omission' by the CM and others.

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