Punjab Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today disclosed the central government has revoked its earlier decision to evacuate the border villages of Punjab following a surgical strike on terror launch pads in Pakistan occupied Kashmir on September 26-27.This decision was taken after a review of the situation along the entire border with Pakistan in a meeting held at Jaisalmer yesterday which was presided over by Union home minister Rajnath Singh.Accordingly the Deputy chief minister informed chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal about the decision. The CS has informed the deputy commissioners of all concerned districts to take immediate steps to ensure smooth return of the affected people back to the border villages.
Meanwhile in the meeting yesterday the Deputy chief minister gave a brief about the recent steps taken by the Punjab government to counter terrorist attacks as well as modernization done in the State force. He disclosed that the government had effectively neutralized the terrorist attacks at Deenanagar besides giving real time support to the army to counter the attack at the Pathankot air base. Keeping in view these acts and the constant threat of terrorist incursions from Pakistan, Mr Badal requested the Home minister to give Punjab permission to raise five armed battalions which would act like a second line of defence behind the Border Security Force (BSF) which was manning the border.
He also disclosed that the government had already identified 75 points where check points needed to be placed as a second line of defence.Mr Badal also stressed the need for using modern technology to seal the border with Pakistan more effectively. He said instead of relying only on patrolling which had its limitations, modern technology including CCTV cameras and sophisticated sensors could be used alongside the barbed wire fencing.The Deputy CM also detailed the need for providing funds to Punjab to further modernize its police force. He said though Rs 18 crore had been received from the centre for this purpose, the State government had spent Rs 100 crore on the modernization drive after the Pathankot terror attack. He said more steps needed to be taken in this direction to ward of external and internal threats effectively.He also highlighted the needed to increase compensation being paid to farmers in the border belt who own land across the barbed wire fencing in Indian territory. He said this was needed to ameliorate the difficult conditions under which they had to till their fields on a day to day basis. EOM