Amarinder questions security cover for VIPs outside state
Friday, 30/11/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121130/punjab.htm#1
Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh today questioned the state government for providing extra security to those who were not under any threat even outside the state. He also backed Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DSGMC) chief Paramjit Singh Sarna and blamed the Akalis for the recent violence.
Taking a dig at Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Amarinder said as he held the Home portfolio, he needed to explain how slain liquor baron Ponty Chadha managed to get Punjab Police security.
“He has ordered a probe, but that means the state police does not know whom their men are protecting. The responsibility should be fixed,” he said while interacting with The Tribune on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the 2nd Asian Shotgun Championship at Maine village.
Questioning the security cover provided to politicians like Haryana former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and various others without any security review by the intelligence wing, Amarinder said such selective policies needed to be stopped.
“Both the Chief Minister and his son are provided security cover by national agencies, the SSG, the CRPF, apart from the state police as they do not have faith in the Punjab Police. Are they not safe in their state?” he said.
Defending Sarna, Amarinder said the Akalis were desperate to control Delhi gurdwaras and were leveling all sorts of allegations from violence to Congress interference.
“The fact of the matter is that the Akalis cannot see anyone else control the religious affairs of the Sikhs.”
He ruled out the possibility of a pact with PPP leader Manpreet Singh Badal in the near future but said all options were open for discussion.
Bonhomie returns?
After a long time, Amarinder was seen publicly with son Raninder Singh and his brother Malwinder Singh, who had joined the SAD earlier this year. After a spat between Raninder and Malwinder, the nephew was given the Congress ticket to contest the last Assembly elections from Samana. The two were seen conversing with each other. But Amarinder refused to answer queries on his brother’s possible return to the Congress
