To tackle the re-emergence of extremism in Punjab “which is threatening to once again disturb the State’s peace and stability”, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday urged the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for a comprehensive strategy for the same.
Capt Amarinder, during a meeting with the Union Home Minister, stressed on the need for formulating an all-encompassing strategy to counter the emerging extremism.
He suggested strengthening of the intelligence apparatus, besides action against foreign handlers based in Canada, UK, USA, Italy, Germany, “who are actively engaged in activities for revival of terrorism in Punjab”.
Capt Amarinder underlined the need for countering social media activities, aimed at disturbing the peace and stability of the state. “Strengthening the state government’s ‘Connect with Your Roots’ programme would also help in controlling such activities,” he said.
Spokesperson said that the Union Home Minister agreed to look into the state’s demands under the Modernization of Police Forces Scheme (MPF Scheme).
Citing the state’s security concerns, the Chief Minister reiterated the demand for central assistance in the modernization of the police forces, said the spokesperson.
Spokesperson said that the Chief Minister has maintained that under MPF, Punjab should be designated as a Category-A State for financial assistance at 90:10 Centre-State sharing basis on the pattern of Jammu and Kashmir and eight North eastern states.
He also sought allocation of additional funds to Punjab under MPF Scheme for ‘Strengthening of the State Special Branch’ for various law and order (l&O) challenges being faced by the state, such as proxy war, trans-border terrorism and influx of drugs, weapons or explosives.
Over the past one-and-a-half years, Punjab has witnessed a spate of targeted killings, including that of RSS leaders and a Christian pastor.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing these cases, has alleged that these were the handiwork of extremist elements belonging to Khalsa liberation Force, duly backed and driven by Pakistan’s ISI.
It has been learnt that the KlF chief Harminder Singh Mintoo, who died in Patiala Central Jail a day before suffering a cardiac arrest, had allegedly masterminded the killings of members of a specific community with the aim of destabilising law and order in Punjab and reviving terror.