Slamming the entire opposition for politicizing issues concerning security and sovereignty of the country, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that implored all the political parties to desist from issuing provocative statements in wake of impending crisis on Indo-Pak border in larger national interest.Interacting with the media persons during his visit to border village of Ferozepur district here today, the Chief Minister exhorted the political leaders to shun politics in this peculiar situation. He said that it was unfortunate that several political leaders were continuously politicking at this critical juncture when clouds of war were hovering over the country. Mr. Badal said that many occasions for politics would come for the parties but at this critical juncture leaders must avoid it for safeguarding the interests of the country in general and Punjab in particular.The Chief Minister said that SAD-BJP alliance government doesn’t believe in doing politics over the issues concerning unity and integrity of the country. He said that the visits to border villages was solely aimed at sharing the grief of border residents and instilling a sense of confidence amongst them adding that these visits were not even remotely concerned with politics. “I am visiting border villages to be amongst the brave people of this region who are ever ready to make any sacrifice for their country but unfortunately my fellow friends do not see anything beyond politics”, added Mr. Badal.
Recalling the stellar role of Punjab in safeguarding the border of the state and making the country self reliant in food production, the Chief Minister said that the brave Punjabis were always ready for making any sacrifice for the sake of their motherland. He said that the villages within 10 kilometre radius of border were evacuated following the orders of Government of India (GoI). Mr. Badal said that as it was wrong to compare Punjab with other border states as it was far more densely populated than other states along with Indo-Pak border so evacuation has been advised by GoI to prevent any loss of life.Addressing the public gatherings in village Tendiwala, Hazara Singh Wala and Ghazniwala, the Chief Minister exhorted the people to not get misled by the malicious propaganda unleashed by opposition parties on evacuation. He said that the safety and security of people was the prime concern of state government, which followed the advice of GoI to evacuate the border area. Mr. Badal also asked the people to beware of rumor mongers, who were trying to create panic amongst people by weaving their own stories.
Recalling the great service rendered by border residents of the state to the country, the Chief Minister again urged the Government of India (GoI) to start a special recruitment drive for enabling the youth of border areas to join Indian Army and para military forces. Mr. Badal said that the youth of this region was blessed by indomitable spirit of courage and self sacrifice, so efforts must be made to channelize this energy for country. Mr. Badal said that he would soon raise this issue with the Union government.The Chief Minister also reiterated that in order to ensure prompt and hassle free procurement and lifting of paddy from the border region, the state government has decided to depute special officers to facilitate the farmers of this region. He said that keeping in view the escalating tension at the border the state government was duty-bound to lift each and every single grain of the farmers. Mr. Badal said that he had already directed the Food and Civil Supply department to depute special officers for ensuring quick procurement and lifting of grains from this region.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Lok Sabha MP Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, MLA Mr. Joginder Singh Jindu, former state BJP Chief Mr. Kamal Sharma, former MLA Mr. Sukhpal Singh Nannu, senior Akali leader Mr. Vardev Singh Nonny Mann, his Special Principal Secretary Dr S Karunaraju, Principal Secretary Mr. R Venkatratnam, Commissioner Ferozepur Division Mr. VK Meena, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. RS Khatra, Deputy Commissioner Mr. DPS Kharbanda and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. RK Bakshi.