Centre intervenes as tension builds up

PATIALA: As tension mounted between Punjab and Haryana over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue in the wake of the threat by the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) to dig the canal, the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Wednesday sent an official to Chandigarh who held meetings with the top cops of the two states.

Meanwhile, leader of Opposition in Haryana assembly and INLD MLA Abhay Chautala is sticking to the party’s plan of digging the canal in Punjab territory on Thursday.

MHA joint secretary Dalip Kumar held meetings with director general of police (DGPs) of Haryana and Punjab in Chandigarh. Sources said he asked both the DGPs to ensure law and order “at any cost”

Meanwhile, a wary Punjab is taking no chances and fortified its borders with Haryana to stop the INLD from entering the state.

The state government has deployed more than 5,000 security men, besides 10 battalions of the paramilitary forces, on various entry points of Punjab in Patiala district.

A mock drill was also conducted to check preparedness.

Police sources said the GT Road entry point will be sealed on Thursday morning, while heavy police deployment has already been made at Kapuri village in Patiala — the place where the foundation stone of the SYL canal was laid in 1982 — and other embankments of the canal.

Punjab DGP Suresh Arora, who is in-charge, said, “All possible measures have been taken. Forces have been deployed to tackle any situation.”

The police have also decided not to allow All India Sikh Students Federation activists to enter Kapuri or Shambu.

Haryana has also increased its police strength at Shambhu in the wake of MHA’s intervention.

The DGP also visited the vegetable market at Ambala, where INLD workers will converge on Thursday.