Punjab’s former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday dismissed the reported allegations levelled against him in a complaint to the US Attorney General by controversial organisation, Sikhs for Justice, accusing him of having protected and promoted the police officers against whom there were complaints of human rights violations.
“I dismiss this complaint with all the scorn and ridicule it deserves as it has been filed with the sole purpose of seeking cheap publicity,” said Capt Amarinder. He said, “It would have been better if the so called organisation had mentioned the names of the officers whom I had protected and promoted.”
The Congress deputy leader in the lok Sabha pointed out that the entire Punjab Police was fighting a war against terror. “Do they mean I should have dismissed the entire police forceIJ” he asked while ridiculing the SFJ charges. “Moreover, let me ask them, doesn't the US Government go after the terrorists to ensure peace in that countryIJ” he asked.
Capt Amarinder maintained that the particular complaint was totally motivated and has been prompted at the behest of certain vested interests and political parties in Punjab which do not want him to visit the US.
“let me reiterate that I am continuing with my North America tour come what may,” he reiterated and said, “I understand the frustration of people who are trying to seek one minute publicity from my visit.”
He asserted that he did not need anybody's certificate to prove his credentials whether at home or abroad. “My stand on various issues is crystal clear and I do not need to repeat it here,” he said, while asking elements like SFJ not to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in Punjab by such shenanigans.
Capt Amarinder maintained that Punjab has moved far ahead of those dark days and people are living in absolute peace here.
“However, some mischievous elements in some foreign countries are trying to vitiate the atmosphere here,” he observed, adding that these people have nothing to lose and “ultimately it will be we Punjabis, who have stayed back in Punjab and won the peace after thousands of sacrifices, who will have to bear the brunt”.
However, he clarified, “We will not let that happen and we will ensure that Punjab always remains peaceful in spite of all those provocations by such mischievous elements.”
He underlined the need for isolating all such elements lest they spread the venomous cancer and harm the peace in Punjab.