Punjab not to ply state-run buses to Delhi, other Haryana routes
PATIALA :In the wake of the threat by Haryana opposition party Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) to prevent entry of Punjab vehicles into the state on July 10 over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal row, the Punjab government has decided not to ply its buses to Delhi and other Haryana routes on the day of the protest.
Even though Haryana and Punjab police are jointly chalking out a strategy to foil the INLD plan, and to ensure the smooth flow of the traffic, the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) will not operate its buses towards Haryana and Delhi. Other operators also likely to follow suit.
“No PRTC bus will go to Delhi and other Haryana routes on July 10 in view of the call by INLD to stop buses of Punjab. This decision has been taken in public interest, as PRTC doesn’t want that any passenger travelling in their bus may face harassment on any count or government property may be damaged,” said MS Narang, managing director of the state-owned PRTC, which runs several luxury buses to the Delhi airport too, besides nearly 200 ordinary buses to Delhi and other
No PRTC bus will go to Delhi and other Haryana routes on July 10 in view of the call by INLD to stop buses of Punjab. This decision has been taken in public interest. MS NARANG, MD, Pepsu Road Transport Corporation
major cities of Haryana.
SECTION 144 TO BE IMPOSED
Both state governments have decided to impose section 144 of the CrPC against unlawful assembly in the border districts. Haryana has already demanded 10 companies of paramilitary forces from the Centre. Patiala zone inspector general of police AS Rai held a meeting of officials to review the security arrangements.
On Sunday, senior officers from Punjab police headquarters will review the arrangements at the Shambhu barrier and other places on the border.
Police fear that radicals may take advantage of the situation and converge over the emotive issue of sharing water with Haryana.
On Friday, a joint meeting of the home secretaries and directors general of police of both states, was also held.
On Saturday, a meeting of district officials of Bathinda and Sirsa was held at Dabwali. They discussed the traffic diversion plan in view of the INLD’s Monday protest.
Bathinda SSP Naveen Singla said 300 personnel of Indian Reserve Battalion will be deployed in areas bordering Haryana in Bathinda.
Pertinently, Haryana’s main opposition party INLD had announced that its activists will stop vehicles from Punjab at the Shambhu barrier near Ambala to press the state’s demand for construction of the canal, as has been directed by the Supreme Court.
Punjab has worked out diversion of traffic to avoid any stand-off.
The INLD had taken hundreds of activists towards Shambhu, 10 km from Ambala, on the NH-1 in February, saying it will start digging the canal in Punjab. Along with several supporters, Abhay was arrested upon entering the state.