The Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal termed the fedaiyeen attack at air force base at Pathankot as most unfortunate and said that Punjab will urge the central government to completely seal the sensitive spots and increase vigil at the international border in Punjab so as to curb the infiltration from Pakistan.Addressing the media persons after attending the bhog ceremony of Jathedar Karnail Singh Kolianwali, younger brother of Punjab Agro Chairman and member executive committee SGPC Jathedar Dayal Singh Kolianwali, the Deputy Chief Minister said the security agencies are taking necessary action in the aftermath of Pathankot attack and search operations are on. He informed that as per the preliminary reports, the terrorists had infiltrated from Pakistan and keeping in view this aspect the center should identify infiltration sensitive spots and install modern surveillance equipment to prevent cross border intrusion.
He also said that the Punjab is the most peaceful state as the State government has taken every possible step to maintain peace but some forces inimical to the cause of harmony are trying to vitiate the atmosphere which the State would not tolerate at any cost. He also said that the Punjab Police has also been instructed to step up vigilance so that such dastardly incidents do not re-occur.Replying to other queries, Mr. Badal said the law is taking its own course in Abohar incident and accused persons are being strictly proceeded against. Criticizing the politicization of the issue, he warned that no culprit would be spared in the case whosoever he may be.Terming the leaders joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) bandwagon as rejected by the masses, Mr. Badal equated such leaders with directionless missiles and said that all the leaders in AAP are projecting themselves as potential CM candidates which would give rise to a new revolt in AAP in the future. Reacting to the query regarding the possibility of Manpreet Singh Badal joining AAP, the Deputy CM said Manpreet’s position is also similar to the other dejected people jumping onto the AAP bandwagon who have no following at grassroot level.
Reiterating his New Year pledge, the Deputy Chief Minister revealed that his resolution of 2016 is to maintain peace and communal harmony and make Punjab the no.1 state from development point of view. He said with the completion of development projects commenced by the SAD-BJP government in 2016, the state would witness rapid growth in all sectors and the new look of development would be visible in every nook and corner of the state.
He also said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is fully geared up for the Khadoor Sahib Assembly bye-election and the party would commence its campaign after the announcement of election dates by the election commission of India and declare its candidate at an appropriate time.On the occasion, Jathedar Dayal Singh Kolianwali, President Youth Akali Dal Malwa Zone-1 Mr. Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi, Chairman Jatinder Singh Middhukhera, Avtar Singh Vanwala Circle President and Chairman Kulwinder Singh Bhai Ka Kera were also present.