In view of the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab and the operation blue star anniversary approaching when miscreants tend to foment trouble, the Centre is rushing 10 more companies (1000 men) of paramilitary forces apart from 10 companies sent recently to Punjab on the request of the DGP V.K. Bawra.
The decision to send additional forces was taken at a meeting held between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday in Delhi to discuss and seek the Centre’s support for tackling various problems faced by the border state.
The discussion between the CM and Union Home Minister on the issue of law and order becomes all the more important in view of the revelation made by the army chief that more than 200 Pakistan-trained terrorists are waiting in Nepal to enter Kashmir and Punjab.
The CM informed the Home Minister that the operation blue star anniversary would begin in the first week of June when in 1984 the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered the army to storm the Golden Temple to flush out terrorists. Starting from June 1st till 8th a handful of hardliners try to disturb the peace by raising the Khalistan bogey.
Mann also told the Home Minister that the state was in urgent need of anti-drone technology as Pakistan was sending drugs and weapons into Punjab with the help of drones.
The rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) used in the recent attack on the Punjab police's Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali too was sent to India with the help of a drone.
It was established by the police after the arrest of six terrorists that the main conspirator behind the attack was Lakhbir Singh Landa based in Canada had the backing of Pakistan’s ISI.
Mann and Shah also discussed the arrest of four terrorists from Karnal, all residents of Punjab, who were proceeding toward Delhi with RDX and AK-47 apart from other ammunition. The recent spurt in the activities of Khalistanis as witnessed in Patiala and elsewhere was also discussed.
Mann assured Shah that on the issue of national security AAP government in Punjab would work in close co-operation with the Centre and abide by the directions it receives.
Shah is reported to have assured the CM of all possible help to maintain law and order.
