Sikhs appeal for lesser punishment

Representatives belonging to a number of Sikh organisations in India have appealed that the death sentence given to a leading Sikh separatist, Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar be commuted to life imprisonment.

Many Sikh leaders - some from moderate groups, others from hard line organisations, met at Mohali near Punjab's capital, Chandigarh, to press their demand.

Mr Bhullar was accused of conspiracy in an unsuccessful attempt on the life of the former president of the All India Youth Congress, Maninderjit Singh Bitta, in 1993.

He was deported from Germany in 1995 to face trial.

His conviction and death sentence by a lower court was recently upheld by India's Supreme Court.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service