CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Beant Singh said here that he could assure the “Punjab package” provided the Opposition guaranteed peace after that.
Replying to the debate on demands for the Department of Home and Justice the Chief Minister said the package included transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab without bartering away the Fazilka and Abohar areas more river water and due status to Punjabi in the neighboring states.
He said the Punjab problem was political to the extent that the demands were concerned but otherwise it was a law and order problem as the demand was for Khalistan which could not a conceded.
He proposed the formation of a three-member committee to talk to the detained Akali leaders and said in case they stuck to secessionist demands their security cover should be withdrawn.
He said people who talked treason had no right to have state security.
He described the February election as elections between India and Pakistan as Pakistan did not want elections to be held here and sent the militants to pressurize senior Akali leaders to announce a boycott. The Akalis not only committed this blunder but worsened the law and order situation and tried to bury democracy forever. He blamed them for always inciting the people.
He also lashed out at those parties who were trying to exploit religious sentiments for grabbing power and said these parties were harming the country.
He added that the law and order situation was far from satisfactory but sought time to improve it “When we try to use force it is opposed by some parties and when we offer to hold negotiations we are dubbed as being weak” he said.
He expressed the hope that time would come when the militants would lay down arms and said the surrender of 40 militants 24 of who were registered militants was a step in that direction.
He regretted that the Opposition parties spurned the offer of the Congress (I) to set up a common front during the elections and joined hands with others. He said the Congress (I) was occupying the treasury benches only because of the mistakes of the Opposition parties.
He announced the setting up of an industrial security force which would recruit ex-servicemen.
He said that it is proposed to strengthen the state police force in order to decrease dependence on Para-military forces.
Replying to the debate on gains to the department of Education the Education Minister Mr. Haram Dass Johar said it is proposed to recruit 5000 teachers in the coming period. He assured the House that the demands of the college teachers would be con ceded.
He disclosed that the state government had sought Rs. 47 crore from the Centre under the border package and it would use for improving the conditions of schools.
During the debate on grants for Home and Justice and Education the focus was on corruption in the bureaucracy and police. Both Ruling and Opposition Members intervened to demand stringent steps to end this menace. Opening the debate Mr. Gumam Singh Dhirowal of the CPI demanded screening of the police to weed out undesirable elements. He cited specific case in which a militant was testified in inter gang revelry but subsequently the police claimed to have eliminated the man in an encounter so that they might claim the reward money.
Hargopal Singh of the BSP alleged that 70 per cent of the en counters in the state were fake. He demanded the setting up of and corruption committees from the district to the state level to put an end to corruption in the civil and police administration.
Mr. Som Dutt (Congress-I) blamed the bureaucracy for the deteriorating situation in the state. He referred to certain incidents of militant violence in which the police remained silent spectators. He said the law and order situation was worsening as the officials did not want to do their duty. He demanded action against these officials. Mr. Santokh Singh (Congress-I) said during Presidents rule only the law of the jungle prevailed He alleged that police stations were dens of corruption.
Mr Tarsem Jodha (CPI-M) said the situation in the state would: worsen in the absence of cooperation from the people. He felt that the situation had worsened after the poll.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 17, 1992
