Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, January 8: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal
today called on the Union Home Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh and urged
him to direct the CBI to put the sensitive ‘Bargari’ case involving
sacrilege of Holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on “the fastest, most
expeditious and priority mode so that culprits in the case are
identified, apprehended and given exemplary punishment under the law.”
“This must be deemed a national priority as it involves the profound
and sacred sentiments ofmillions of people all over the world, Sikhs
as well as all right thinking people in every community everywhere. ,”
said Mr Badal while talking to Mr Rajnath Singh.
Mr. Badal, who is also the Home Minister of the state, further urged
the home minister to strengthen, reinforce and ‘completely modernize’
the functional capabilities and combat-response vigil of the
Border Security Force (BSF) all along the border with Pakistan
adjoining Punjab.
Mr Badal said although “the BSF and other forces tasked with the
sensitive responsibility of blocking infiltration of hostile element
including terrorists had always stood up to the challenge in a most
commendable manner, yet there have been instances that left something
to be desired so that the border is not breached , as it had been
done by highly trained terrorists who attacked Dinanagar and now
Pathankot. Mr. Badal said that the numerical strength of the BSF and
other forces had been shown to be inadequate and insufficient to
deal with the rising spectre of cross-border terrorism. Mr. Badal said
that in view of the highly motivated, sophisticated and
technologically advanced nature of the threat from cross border
terrorism, our forces on the border need only to the significantly
increased numerically but they also need to be given state –of-the-art
combat and communication weaponry and equipments so that they are
always ahead of the terrorist.
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the Punjab Police had always dealt
with the cross border terrorists in a most courageous and
professionally competent manner. He said that the Dinanagar attack was
effectively neutralized by the brave constabulary and officers of the
Punjab Police. Similarly, he said in Pathankot the most timely
intelligence sharing and combat response of the state police had
resulted in prompt deployment of the National Security Guards (NSG),
The Army and the Air Force personnel. He said that it was only because
of this timely deployment that the terrorists were not allowed at all
to inflict any damage on the most sensitive strategic and technical
assets and equipment including invaluable fighter and bomber planes.
Giving details of the meeting between Mr. Badal and Union home
Minister, Mr. Harcharn Bains Advisor to Chief Minister on National
affairs said the Punjab Deputy CM had on several occasions in the
past repeatedly emphasized the need for a complete re-look at the
internal security capabilities of various central and state government
agencies and forces forces. “Mr Sukhbir Singh has always felt and
said at the national platforums that the dividing line between
internal and external security had vanished in view of the new and
highly developed technology which terrorists all over the world had
accessed. Mr. Sukhbir Singh had personally highlighted to Mr P
Chandambram when the latter was the Home Minister of the country the
various inadequacies and weaknesses in weaponry, strategic training
and availability and access to the state of the art counter-terror
technology including the highly sophisticated communications
gadgetry to remain one step ahead of the terrorists with superior
intelligence.,” said Mr Bains
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal had been demanding that the central
budgetary layout on modernisation of police and Para military force. “
Police modernization budget is abysmal at the present and does not
reflect the deadly nature of the threats posed to the country from
terrorism . This budgetary outlay needed to be enhanced manifold.”
This is particularly true now the terrorists always manage to
acquire the most sophisticated and the deadliest fighting gadgetry
both in terms of weapons and hi –end communications apparatus, using
the state-of-the-art information & technology. “
