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“Centre must use Punjab’s experience against terrorism”

Jalandhar: Calling for a “quick response system” to tackle the repeatedly occurring terror attacks across the country, Shiromani Akali Dal on Sunday said that the Centre should incorporate in its anti-terror policies, Punjab’s experience of successfully eliminating terrorism.

“Punjab has successfully dealt with terrorism and the State’s experience should be incorporated in the formation of any policy against terrorism,” SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal told reporters here.

“We should learn a lesson from our mistakes and ensure that they are not repeated,” he said adding that the Centre should work out the best quick response system to deal with the repeatedly occurring terror attacks.

Mr. Badal was referring to the Prime Minister’s idea of establishing a federal agency to deal with terrorism at national level.

Terming the Mumbai terror attacks as a threat to the national security, the Faridkot MP asked the Centre to fight as a mission against the menace.

“I am going to attend the meeting of all political parties invited by the Prime Minister on Sunday and will raise the issue of waging a war against terrorism,” he said. Attending a function here organised by the Hind Samachar Group of newspapers to make a contribution of Rs. two crore to Bihar Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday made accusations against the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son - SAD President Sukhbir Badal. He said that the duo were unleashing “political terrorism” in Punjab, claiming that as many as 48 Congress workers were killed during the SAD-BJP rule in the State.

Talking to reporters here on Sunday the Congress leader asked the father-son duo to “mend their ways”, predicting bloodshed in the forthcoming Parliamentary elections in the State otherwise.

“The entire plan to terrorise Congress leaders and workers is being executed by Sukhbir and his brother-in-law Bikram Singh Majithia under the patronage of the Chief Minister, who has virtually given up to the dictates of his ambitious son ever since the formation of the SAD-BJP government,” Mr. Singh alleged.

Complaining of direct interference by Sukhbir in administrative matters, the former Chief Minister alleged that even SHOs in State police were being appointed on the directives of the SAD chief.

Charging the Badals with indulging in large-scale corruption, he said they have recently purchased a personal Jet Aircraft at a cost of Rs. 24 crore besides huge chunks of land at Port Blair and Mauritius.

Alleging that the Badals were soon to buy a piece of land in Dubai, he said the Congress will not let them siphon off public money and bring them to book when the party comes to power in the State.

Amarinder also sought to justify the demand by the Sikhs in Haryana for a separate SGPC of their own, saying it was “genuine”.

“They have every right to have a separate SGPC. When there are separate committees in Delhi, Maharashtra and Bihar why are the Sikhs in Haryana being denied their due,” he said. --PTI

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