Warring hits out at CM for seeking security help from Union govt

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Tuesday hit out at the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for rushing to the Centre for additional security forces to handle the challenges faced by the state.

“It is not only an admission of failure on the security front, but also lack of confidence the AAP government has in itself and in the competence of Punjab Police,” Warring said in a statement while reacting to the state government’s request to the central government for deployment of additional security forces in Punjab.

The PPCC chief said his party has been consistently alerting the government about the security challenges faced by Punjab and lack of experience of this government to deal with it. “We stand vindicated as the state has rushed to the Centre for security assistance to make up for its lack of experience,” he said.

Warring criticised the Mann government for its lack of faith in Punjab Police as otherwise it would not have requested for central forces.

Warring also took a dig at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, claiming that for his personal security he takes commandos from Punjab, but for the security of the state his party’s government is begging the Centre. He also cautioned the AAP government about the financial implications of getting additional central security forces.

Good that govt has realised security challenges: Capt

Welcoming the realisation on part of the AAP government in Punjab of the harsh security challenges the state is faced with by seeking additional central security forces, former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday reminded the party of its strong opposition to the central government’s move last year when it decided to extend the operational jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) from 15 to 30km from the International Border.

“At that time, both the AAP as well as the Congress leaders created hell about the Centre’s decision, but good now the AAP at least has realised the need and importance of that decision (to extend operational jurisdiction of the BSF,” he said.