A week after the Gurdaspur terror attack that shook not only Punjab but the entire nation, the State Cabinet on Monday appreciated the role of the Punjab Police in killing the three heavily-armed terrorists, and approved compensation to the deceased.
Three terrorists, reportedly from Pakistan, were shot dead in a day-long gunfight after they stormed the police station last Monday. Seven people, including SP Baljit Singh, were killed in the attack.
Condemning Pakistan for “clandestinely perpetrating a terror attack in India” by targeting Dinanagar Nagar, the Cabinet eulogised the commendable role of “martyred” Gurdaspur SP Baljit Singh and three Home Guards in counter insurgency operation.
The Cabinet, at the very onset, observed two-minute silence praying to the almighty to grant eternal peace to the victims of Dinanagar terror attack and Manikaran bus tragedy. Besides, silence was also observed for former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Deeply mourning the killing of three civilians, who lost their lives in the terror attack, the Cabinet also appreciated the “exemplary valour” and “presence of mind” shown by Punjab Roadways driver Nanak Chand, thus saving several precious lives.
Apart from this, the Cabinet also lauded the alertness on the part of two Railway employees to avert any major tragedy.
As a mark of respect to the exemplary courage shown by Gurdaspur SP (Detective) late Baljit Singh during counter insurgency operation, the Punjab Cabinet gave approval for appointing his son as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
Cabinet also gave nod to give ex-gratia grant worth `25 lakh to the legal heirs of martyred SP and `10 lakh each to the family of three martyred jawans of the Punjab Home Guards, who sacrificed their lives during the terrorist attack at Dinanagar while performing their duties, said a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office.
Besides, Rs three lakh each would be given to the officials of the Punjab Police and Punjab Home Guards injured in the terror attack besides giving them the best medical treatment ‘free of cost’.
The Cabinet also decided that State Government would suitably honour all those officials who discharged their duties valiantly during the operation. The Cabinet also approved to give job to the next of kin of the Punjab Home Guard Jawans, who laid down their lives, besides absorbing the injured Home Guards in the Punjab Police.
The injured Policemen would be promoted and Rs one crore would be given to Dinanagar Police station.
All the families of the deceased Police officials would get salary till the date of their retirement.
Similarly, one civilian and Railway official, who spotted the live bomb on the Railway track, would be awarded cash prize of `2 lakh.
Relaxing the existing relief norms under its policy, the cabinet approved giving `5 lakh to the next of kin of dead civilians and `3 lakh to the injured civilians besides the State Government bearing the entire expenditure on the treatment of injured civilians in both the Government and private hospitals.
Punjab Roadways driver Nanak Chand would be given a cash award of `3 lakh besides to be honoured with State award on Independence Day function.
His name would also be recommended to the Central Government for honouring him with National Bravery Award. The Cabinet also decided to regularise the services of both the driver and conductor of the bus.
In another resolution, the Cabinet expressed deep anguish and sorrow over the tragic bus accident near Manikaran Sahib in Himachal Pradesh on July 23 in which 12 persons were killed, 23 injured and 34 feared to be drowned, whose bodies have not yet been recovered.
CABINET CONDOlES DEATH OF ‘PEOPlE’S PRESIDENT’ KAlAM
Adopting unanimous resolution to mourn the sad demise of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the Cabinet expressed profound grief and sorrow over his sad demise.
The resolution described Dr Kalam as the ‘people’s President’ and a towering and multifaceted personality being a true statesman, an eminent academician, a noted nuclear scientist and above all a fine human being.
Dr Kalam would be ever remembered by one and all for his remarkable services rendered for the well-being of underprivileged and poor, on one hand, and inspiring the youth for inculcating a scientific temper amongst them, on the other, read the resolution.
SEPARATE INTEllIGENCE BUREAU
In the wake of possible threats to the State after Dinanagar terror attack, the State Cabinet has also paved way for setting up a separate Intelligence Bureau.
The Cabinet has given its go ahead to the Punjab Intelligence Cadre (Group C) Service Rules, 2015, for the employees of Punjab Police (Intelligence Wing) to make state intelligence wing independent and to enable it to recruit its own employees.
This was done to ensure enough intelligence gathering in wake of the threat looming over the launch of “K2 (Kashmir-Khalistan) agenda” by Pakistan.