ISI trying to revive Khalistani elements: Amarinder

Wednesday 22nd November 2017 06:04 EST
 
 

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has vouched that efforts are being made to revive Khalistani elements. The state government claimed major success this month by solving targeted killing cases, including that of RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja. Speaking in an interview, he said, “Definitely, attempts are being made, mostly in foreign soils, to destabilise Punjab and our country. Indications of this had started emerging a long time ago, with several leads suggesting that radical forces were out to destroy the state's peace and harmony, in nexus with criminal gangs. The recent arrests have more than proved this.”

Singh claimed that operatives of Pakistan's spy agency ISI were working not only from Pakistani soil, but also from other countries, including the UK, Canada, and Italy “to fan communal unrest”. He said, “Efforts are clearly being made to revive Khalistani elements, which also have the backing of the ISI.” The CM said security agencies, including the state intelligence, were working in close coordination with central agencies to counter such attempts. “Apart from measures on the ground, a close eye is being kept on the social media to prevent attempts at radicalising the youth.” He said that several terror modules have been busted since the Congress government had taken over.

Regarding organisations such as the SGPC opposing Punjab Control of Organised Crime Act (PCOCA) to contain such forces claiming it could be misused, Singh said, “PCOCA or some special law on similar lines has become necessary for Punjab in view of the widespread efforts being made by ISI through various radical forces and criminal gangs, to fan communal unrest in the state. But at the same time, we are mindful of the concerns of misuse of such legislation, given the experience of some other states.” He said he had issued “clear instructions” for incorporating the tightest possible controls in the law to ensure that there was no misuse and nobody was harassed or victimised.


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