Ploy to divert public attention: Cong
Tuesday, 06/01/2015
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/ploy-to-divert-public-attention-cong/26693.html
Chandigarh : The Punjab Congress has dubbed the SAD’s dharna-cum-awareness rallies along the Indo-Pak border as an “attempt to distract the public attention away from Cabinet Minister Bikram Majithia who is facing an ED probe into the international drug racket.”
PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa alleged the SAD leadership wanted to make people believe that they had no role in the rampant drug trade in the state and that the Centre was to be blamed.
“But they have failed to explain as to how synthetic drugs are being sold in every nook and corner of the state. Even if the drugs come from Pakistan, these cannot come to Punjab alone as Rajasthan and Gujarat also share borders with the neighbouring country. It is evident that the state police are conniving with drug peddlers,” he alleged.
Congress’ Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh alleged the Akalis were desperate as they were running out of options even with their own alliance partner BJP.
On SAD dharnas, Amarinder said it was “incorrect on part of the Akalis to target the BSF which is doing an outstanding job in checking the cross-border drug smuggling”.
“If the Akalis do half of their job in the state as compared to what the BSF is doing, the drug problem will not be that serious,” he said. “I think their (Akalis) countdown has begun. It is just a matter of time when the government falls under the weight of its own contradictions and confrontations,” Amarinder said.
Congress Legislature Party Leader Sunil Jakhar too slammed the SAD. PPCC vice-president Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi criticised the BJP for its “doublespeak” on the matter.
“Nobody knows whether they are with the government or with the people of the state. SAD leaders like Prem Singh Chandumajra and Tota Singh who are organising dharnas have never raised the issue in the Assembly,” Sodhi said.
The SAD was trying to mislead the people by shifting the blame on poppy sale in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, he alleged. “The practice has been there for generations, but our youth were never addicted. The widespread manufacturing and patronised sale of synthetic drugs coupled with frustration emanating from false promises of the SAD-BJP led the youth to drug addiction,” he alleged.
Former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal termed SAD’s dharnas as a “drama”. “The SAD is trying to counter BJP president’s forthcoming anti-drug drive launch in Amritsar. Instead of staging dharnas along the border, which will demoralise the BSF, the SAD should hold a dharna in front of the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” she added.
Civil Sectt wears deserted look
Chandigarh: With hardly any minister turning up, the Civil Secretariat today wore a deserted look. But Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal attended office till 1 pm. Akali ministers have not been in their offices for almost a week.They 'were said to be busy preparing for the party dharnas against the drug menace in the state. None of the BJP ministers or chief parliamentary secretaries were seen at the Civil Secretariat today. A number of senior bureaucrats and middle-rung officials too were found absent. — Varinder Singh
Border gaps plugged, says BSF
Chandigarh: The BSF top brass today said the international border was well-guarded and there was little scope for smuggling owing to increased vigil. "Our officers have shifted base to forward areas (BOPs)," said Anil Paliwal "We have even plugged all 47 riverine gaps by deploying extra manpower, intensifying patrolling and raising temporary structures or bridges," Paliwal said. He said the because of the BSF efforts,heroin sezure had increased from 322 kg in 2013 to 361 kg during year 2014. — Varinder Singh
