The Shiromani Akali Dal urged the political parties from the neighboring state of Haryana not to indulge in activities that provoke the people of the Punjab on the SYL issue and asserted that the SAD will never let the project complete as it would deprive the farmers of the Punjab from their own waters.In a statement released from the party head office here today, the SAD Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that the issue of the SYL is dead, once for all as the Punjab Assembly as well as SAD-BJP government of the state has passed resolutions for restoration of the land acquired for the project. He said that as the land acquired for the project has been restored to the original owners and it is now in the possession of the farmers of the state. He said that this issue is more of life and death for not only the farmers of the Punjab but for the all Punjabis as the state was already witnessing depletion of the water table under the earth in the recent years.
Dr Cheema further said that it was most unfortunate that the political parties of the Haryana including Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) are resorting to provocative actions by issuing statements on digging of canal. He said that for Haryana it may be a case of water but for Punjab now it is a case of life and death. He said that such statements will lead to tension in both the states and also contribute towards inciting violence among the neighbors which is not in favour of anybody.He said that the Shiromani Akali Dal Patron and Punjab Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal and party President and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has announced a number of times that the SAD is committed to safeguard waters of the state and it can go to any length including sacrificing their own lives for the safety and security of the Punjabis in general and farmers in particular.Dr Cheema urged the political leadership of the Haryana to desist from indulging in such activities which may prove detrimental to interests of people of both the states. He said that the SAD is totally committed to work for safeguarding interests of the state.