Underscoring the need for a more cautious and strict approach to combat cross border terrorism in the country in an effective manner, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that both the centre and state governments must work in uniformity to attain this goal.Interacting with the media persons here on the sidelines of the Sangat Darshan program in Qadian assembly segment, the Chief Minister described these terror strikes as most unfortunate incident. He said that it was a high time when both the centre and state governments should evolve a consensus to deal with such dastardly acts. Mr. Badal said that such incidents must be dealt with a heavy hand so as to avoid any threat to unity and integrity of the nation.Lauding the security agencies for showing exemplary courage to thwart the Pathankot terror attack, the Chief Minister said that every countrymen was proud of the gallantry deeds of these brave hearts. He said that the supreme sacrifices made by our brave soldiers would ever inspire our younger generations to serve the nation with utmost zeal and nationalistic fervor.
Expressing grief over the martyrdom of security personnel in this operation, the Chief Minister said that state government was committed to bail out the grief stricken families of these national heroes. He announced that the state government would ensure timely and adequate help to the next of kin of these national martyrs. Mr. Badal also hoped that the Union government would also take appropriate steps to help these bereaved families.The Chief Minister bemoaned that it was unfortunate that some political parties were trying to taking political mileage out of this issue. He said that political parties must learn from the past experiences and refrain from politicizing the issues of grave national importance. “It is the need of hour that all the political parties must condemn this dastardly act unanimously”, he added.Lauding the role of Punjab Police in the entire operation, the Chief Minister said that acting swiftly the state Police had informed the concerned quarters about the attack due to which timely action was ensured to foil this anti - national attack. He said that the state Police chief was camping at Pathankot to take stock of the entire situation. “The central and state security agencies are on high alert to keep a strict vigil over the entire situation”, he added.
Earlier addressing the gatherings at village Kot Khan Mohammed, Bhattian, Tugalwal and Qadian, the Chief Minister said that Sangat Darshan was a flagship program of the SAD-BJP alliance, which was very helpful in ensuring on the spot redressal of the grievances of the people. He said that these programs were also helpful to the state government for judging the performance of the officers/ officials of the state government. Mr. Badal said that the sole aim of organizing these programs was to give impetus to the development in the state and it didn’t have any political motive.Highlighting the significance of these programs, the Chief Minister said that Sangat Darshan was held only in Punjab and that too during alliance government’s rule. He said that no other Chief Minister of the country conducts such an extensive exercise of visiting each and every village to resolve the problems of people.The Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to provide round the clock power supply to the residents of all the deras and dhanis in the state. Mr. Badal said that he had already passed on the necessary directions to the authorities in this regard.Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included former Cabinet Minister and Chairman Punjab State Technical Education and Industrial Training Board Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Youth Akali leader Mr. Jagroop Singh Sekhwan, his Special Principal Secretary Dr. S Karunaraju and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Abhinav Trikha.