Guv takes stock of border security
AMRITSAR: Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit on Tuesday visited various border areas of the Majha region and held a series of meetings with the security agencies of the state and the Centre on issues relating to the drug menace and smuggling of weapons from Pakistan, amid opposition Congress party’s allegation of Central government’s “intervention” in the state affairs.
The meetings, organised to take stock of important issues concerning border districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Tarn Taran, were attended by senior officers of the Border Security Force (BSF), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Military Intelligence of the Army, and senior officers of the state government, deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police (SSPs) of the concerned districts.
The governor’s meeting with the security agencies in the border districts was the first, without
the state chief minister, since the Central government increased the BSF’s jurisdiction from 15 kms to 50 kms from the international border.
“I have sensed a lack of coordination between the officials of the state and the central agencies in the border districts of Punjab. I suggest they hold at least one meeting every month to create better coordination,” the governor said during a meeting in Pathankot.
He said all the agencies should work together in tandem with regular exchange of intel and inputs which needs to be
complemented by support from the public and “joint efforts and determination to secure the border” will definitely yield rich dividends.
Earlier, the governor addressed a meeting with village heads and other prominent citizens of Amritsar and Tarn Taran Districts. The governor called upon the people to be the eyes and ears of the BSF. He said that the past incidents of airdropping of arms and ammunition into Punjab borders have necessitated all concerned to be on vigil. He said that the security forces are doing their part but the local input and support can go a long way in checking the influx of contraband weapons and drugs into the state.
Centre interfering in state affairs: Cong
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring objected to the visit, besides targeting Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on the issue.
“You @BhagwantMann ji are going to meet the Hon’ble President of India today. Please take up the issue of the Punjab governor touring border districts to observe law and order issues. This is an exclusive state subject and it is you (Mann) who should be touring border districts,” Warring tweeted.
Congress Legislative Party leader Partap Singh Bajwa also condemned the governor’s visit in the border districts. “Earlier, governors used to visit the border areas while accompanying the CM to meet the people. It used to be a goodwill visit. Now, I am seeing that the governor is becoming proactive and it shows that the Centre will try to intervene in Punjab,” he said.