Condemning the Dinanagar terror attack, the Opposition Parties in Punjab described it as an attempt to revive the Khalistan movement in the State. On the other hand, the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal once again reiterated his stand of maintaining the communal harmony and peace in the State while brushing aside opposition’s allegations.
Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa said that the incident had “exposed the vulnerability of the State and its soft underbelly, besides the laxity of the Akali Dal-BJP Government”. He said that it was also a warning to the Narendra Modi Government.
The Opposition leader in Vidhan Sabha Sunil Jakhar termed the attack as the “outcome of the negligence of ruling Central Government as well as State Government of SAD- BJP”, and held them responsible for their politics of appeasement.
Congress MP from ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu stated that the terrorist attack in Gurdaspur district was “an attempt to revive the Khalistan movement in the State”. He urged the Punjab and Central Governments to immediately take necessary steps to stop it.
“The terrorist attack in Gurdaspur is a very serious threat to the nation. Since the last few months, there have been attempts to revive the Khalistan movement but the State and central agencies were continuously ignoring it. After this attack, both the Centre and State Governments should act tough against such elements,” said Bittu.
He said that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, Khalistani and other terrorist groups have joined hands in support of the Khalistan movement. “Yesterday (Sunday), pro-Khalistan slogans were raised in front of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. For the last few months, these activities have increased but were not dealt with properly by both the Governments,” he added.
Bittu said that the “wrong policies” of the State and Central Governments gave an opportunity to Khalistan supporters to revive their movement.
“The Central Government is shifting terrorists lodged in different parts of the country to Punjab. There was no need for it. Why are terrorists from Bengaluru and Bareilly being shifted to Punjab jails,” asked Bittu.
The Congress leader also accused the Badal Government in Punjab of “adopting soft approach” towards Surat Singh Khalsa, who is on a hunger strike since January this year to seek permanent release of Sikh political prisoners.
He said that bowing to the demands of Surat Singh, the Punjab Government had released many political prisoners and this mistake of the Government had boosted the morale of Khalistan supporters.
He demanded that the Punjab Government immediately end its soft approach towards Surat Singh Khalsa and try to end his hunger strike.
Bittu said that he will soon meet union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and present the related facts to him. He also said that he will request the home minister to visit Punjab to take stock of the rising activities of the Khalistan supporters.
Strongly disagreeing, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said that this incident has nothing to do with the revival of terrorism in the State as it was an act of terrorist group active outside the State.
He said that Punjab had, so far, remained peaceful for last many years and there was no chance of its revival in the state as the state security agencies had been keeping a strict vigil over the law and order situation in the state.
“We are committed for maintaining peace and amity in the State at every cost and no one would be allowed to disturb it,” added Badal.
Jakhar slammed Chief Minister Badal for passing the sole responsibility on the central agencies and advised him to act responsibly.
Bajwa added, “What is shocking that the Chief Minister has tried to pass the buck to the Centre saying that the infiltration should have been stopped at the border itself. His party is part of the government at the Centre and as such, he must share the blame. He can’t shift responsibility.”