Regional

National security, Punjab interest, top priority: Capt Amarinder

Former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today said that national security and the welfare of Punjab was on top of his agenda and hoped that next PLC-BJP goverment will successfully work on that.

Addressing a public meeting after inducting senior Congress leader, Jagdish Kumar Jagga into the party, here today, Capt Amarinder said, the two parties were working in close coordination to ensure success in the ellections.Later talking to reporters, Capt Amarinder said, the case registered against Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia will not stand legal scrutiny as the government had not followed due process of law.

He also condemned the killing of the sacrilege accused in Durbar Sahib and Kapurthala, saying the accused should have been handed over to the police.Responding to a question on registration of an FIR against Majithia, he asked on what basis the government had registered the case against him since the report on drug trafficking was still lying with Punjab and Haryana High Court in a sealed cover. “After all there is a law in the country and I am sure it will not stand the legal scrutiny in the court of law”, he said, while adding, “just because you don’t like someone, you can’t put him behind bars”.

To a question on lynchings in Amritsar and Kapurthala, Capt Amarinder said, the accused should have been handed over to the police. No civilised society can and should approve of such killings.On the issue of people getting angry for denial of justice over Behbal Kalan sacrilege, thus resorting to such killings, the former Chief Minister said, his government had pursued it from day one.He said, first the state had to fight a long legal battle to get the inquiry back from the Central Bureau of Investigation and then the investigation was started and 22 people including police officials and civilians were arrested who are on bail now.He said, there is no justification for mob lynching, whatsoever and it is condemnable.Earlier Capt Amarinder was accorded a rousing reception by people of this industrial town.

His cavalcade of cars was led by a motorcycle rally, participated over by hundreds of youth. He was greeted and cheered by people and was showered with flowers all through the route.Capt Amarinder recalled his sentimental association with Rajpura town. He said, his father late Maharaja Yadwinder Singh had settled the refugees from Bahawalpur in this town and his mother Late Rajmata Mohinder Kaur used to look after the refugees and he used to visit the camps with her.Responding to the complaints of harassment, arm twisting, intimidation and registration of false cases at the behest of local MLA, Capt Amarinder said, he will ensure that he (the MLA) is held accountable very soon.

“The time for this government is up and it is just a matter of few days when code of conduct will be imposed”, he said, while adding, “neither this MLA, nor this government will be seen anywhere after the elections”.Capt Amarinder thanked the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home Minister Amit Shah in particular, for their whole hearted support for Punjab.He said, his top most priority was national security and good governance in Punjab. He warned against the designs of the enemy country which was continuously sending in weapons for creating trouble here. He emphasised the need for close coordination between the Punjab Police and various central security agencies.

Congratulating Jagdish Jagga for organising an impressive public meeting, Capt Amarinder said, this reflected his popularity among the people.On the issue of ticket distribution, Capt Amarinder said, his party and the Bharatiya Janata Party will work together to finalise the winning candidates only.He also thanked the BJP leaders and workers who attended the meeting..