Describing the terrorist attack in Dina Nagar city as a ‘dastardly act’, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Government of India (GoI) to formulate a stern policy for combating this national problem.Interacting with the media persons here today, the Chief Minister said that this incident was shameful and highly unfortunate and it needs to be dealt with a heavy hand to check them in future. He said that it was the high time that centre must come up with a concrete policy to check such anti national activities. “We cannot afford the huge loss of life and property of countrymen in such cowardly acts so we must draft a national policy against terrorism”, added Mr. Badal.The Chief Minister further said that to check such terror attack the security at the borders should be completely beefed up by the Union Government. He said that the borders should be sealed in an effective manner so as to check infiltration by the terrorist groups from across the border. Mr. Badal said that timely action was needed to ensure that such incidents do not take place by increasing the vigil at the borders.
The Chief Minister further said that this incident has nothing to do with the revival of terrorism in the state as it was an act of terrorist group active outside the state. He said that Punjab had so far remained peaceful for last many years and there was no chance of its revival in the state as the state security agencies had been keeping a strict vigil over the law and order situation in the state. “We are committed for maintaining peace and amity in the state at every cost and no one would be allowed to disturb it” added Badal.The Chief Minister, who despite of his ill health was keeping a close tab over the entire situation by keeping a liaison with the Ministry of Home Affairs and officers of state and Police administration asked the Director General of Police (DGP) to personally visit the spot of attack. He said that no stone was being left unturned for flushing out the terrorists from the state. “We are valiantly confronting this attack against the unity and integrity of the country and with the blessings of God we will overcome it by the evening” Mr. Badal.
Exhorting the people to restrain calm in this hour of crisis, the Chief Minister solicited their support to get successful in this war against the sovereignty of our country. He said that people must promote the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood to give a crushing defeat to the forces inimical to the development of the state. “This proxy war unleashed by some forces from across the border can only be won if state governments and the general public join hands together for this noble cause” added Mr. Badal.Later, the Chief Minister visited the local Guru Nanak Hospital in the city and enquired about the well being of the victims injured during this attack. He asked the Deputy Commissioner and officers of the Health department to ensure quality medical treatment to the injured free of cost for ensuring their speedy recovery. Mr. Badal also interacted with the injured people and assured them of full support from the state government.
Meanwhile, expressing profound grief and sorrow over the death of security personnel and civilians in the terrorist attack, the Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul. He said that the state would ever remain indebted to these people who have attained martyrdom in this attack. Mr. Badal also paid glorious tributes to Superintendent of Police (SP) Mr. Baljeet Singh who attained martyrdom during fierce counter insurgency operation, who displayed utmost commitment, sincerity and dedication on call of duty.The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Dr. S Karunaraju, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravi Bhagat and Police Commissioner Mr. Jatinder Singh Aulakh.