After INLD call to re-dig SYL canal, Punjab deploys police

The Punjab government today deployed forces at Kapoori and Shambu border in Patiala district, about 30 km from here, in the wake of Haryana's Indian National Lok Dal's call to redig the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal from February 23.
"We have mobilised forces at Kapoori and Sambhu border today," Patiala zone Inspector General of Police (IGP) B Chander Sekhar told PTI.
He said Punjab police has also taken up the matter with their Haryana counterpart so as to maintain law and order.
Besides, the Punjab government has sought 20 companies of Paramilitary Forces from the Centre, he said, adding they will also reach the state soon.

The steps have been taken to prevent any face-off between INLD workers and some radical outfits in Punjab, including Dal Khalsa, as people in the border state are against the digging or construction of the SYL canal.
Chander Sekhar also chaired a meeting of senior officials of Mohali, Patiala and Sangrur districts to supervise the arrangements of police deployment.

After recent Apex court verdict on the SYL canal issue favouring Haryana in terms of water sharing, INLD leader Abhay Chautala had announced his party workers will assemble at Ambala on February 23 and march towards Punjab for the purpose of digging the SYL canal.

"SYL is lifeline for Haryana...Even the Supreme Court has given its verdict in favour of Haryana," Chautala had said.
The Punjab Police has decided to seal the state border within a couple of days to thwart any untoward move from the other side.
INLD's announcement to redig the canal drew sharp reactions from ruling Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab which hit back asking the party not to indulge in provocative activities.
SAD maintained it will never let the project complete "as it would deprive the farmers of Punjab of their own waters".
"The issue of the SYL is dead once and for all as the Punjab Assembly and SAD-BJP government of the state has passed resolutions for restoration of the land acquired for the project," Punjab Cabinet Minister and SAD spokesman, Daljit Singh Cheema, had said.

He said as the land acquired for the project has been restored to the original owners and it is now in the possession of the farmers of Punjab.
He said the issue is "more of life and death for not only the farmers of the Punjab but for the all Punjabis as the state was already witnessing depletion of the water table in the recent years".
Cheema further said it was "most unfortunate" thing that political parties from neighbouring Haryana are resorting to "provocative actions" by issuing statements on digging of canal.
Some radical organisations in Punjab have already
announced to assemble at Kapoori in Patiala in order to thwart the construction of SYL canal.

Radical organisation Dal Khalsa had took a dig at the INLD calling the move "nothing but a political mischief and stunt".
Dal Khalsa leaders H S Dhami and Kanwar Pal Singh had said the people of Punjab would not allow any "mischief" at any cost.
"The Chautalas were friends with the Badal family and both have played havoc in a sinister way over the years. Even now, Chautala family know that the present rulers in Punjab, who are virtually on their way out, will not welcome them with batons and bullets, which are reserved for farmers, teachers, unionists, students, pharmacists and devout Sikh protesters," Dal Khalsa said.

They said digging of the SYL canal was next to impossible and people of Haryana should stop "day-dreaming" about its construction.
Meanwhile, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh has asked the the Centre and the Haryana government to take all necessary steps to prevent any violation of Punjab's borders.
"The governments at the Centre and in Haryana should take all necessary steps to prevent any violation of Punjab's borders," Amarinder had said.
The former Punjab CM also demanded action by the Haryana government against the INLD to prevent the eruption of an inter-state crisis.
"Abhay Chautala's inflammatory statement has potential to further escalate the tension already triggered by the ongoing Jat agitation in Haryana," Amarinder said.

He asked the Badal government in Punjab to protect the state's borders from any infringement.
"It is time now for Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to prove his self-proclaimed commitment to protecting the interests of Punjab," he said.
He accused the Chautalas of indulging in political misadventure and "trying to take advantage of their proximity with the Badals, on whose silent connivance they were pinning their hopes to realize their mischievous agenda".
"But the people of Punjab will not allow themselves to be victimised or brow-beaten into submission on such a critical issue on which depended their lives and future," Amarinder warned the INLD, asking them to refrain from engaging in any "ill-conceived action" on the SYL matter.