AMRITSAR: Mr. Maninderjit Singh Bitta, president of the All India Youth Congress and cabinet minister without portfolio in Punjab, today, said that over emphasis on the Khalra kid Napping case would lead to demoralization of the state police, While addressing a press conference here in Circuit House, Mr. Bitta said that the Akali Dal leaders were trying to get political mileage out of the issue. Mr, Bitta was replying to a question whether he was concerned over the alleged kidnapping of the human rights activist, Mr. Jaswant Singh Khalra by the police.
Mr. Bitta said that the Punjab police had brought peace in the state after a Jot of sacrifices and it would not be in the national interest to demoralize the police force at a time when Pakistan ‘and other foreign powers were trying to foment militancy in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, Media persons grilled Mr. Bitta on this statement telling him that even Mr. Bill Clinton had expressed concern over the kidnapping of Mr. Khalra.
Mr, Bitta said that the Youth Congress would demand party tickets for the Parliament elections for its sincere workers, loyal to the Prime Minister, Mr. Narasimha Rao, The YC leader said that he was not interested in contesting Parliamentary elections but he would obey the orders of the high command. He evaded replying to a question as to how long would tie Continue to be president of the Youth Congress despite being over aged. Opposing the merger of the Congress parties headed by Mfr. Narasimha Rao and Mr. Tiwari, Mr. Bitta said that he would oppose any such move. Mr. Arjun Singh had done considerable damage to the Congress before patting ways, the YC leaders said.
The YC Leader said that training camps of YC workers were being organized all over the country and that the process of holding camps would be completed before January 277. Mr. Bitta denied charges of raising any property by illegal means and said that his image was clean.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 22, 1995
