Amarinder promises to investigate 'fake' encounters

If Congress comes to power in Punjab, the "fake" encounters during militancy as claimed by a former cop will be investigated, party's state unit chief Amarinder Singh said here today.
The PCC president said what Gurmeet Singh Pinky, an alleged militant-turned-policeman, has alleged appears to be the "tip of the iceberg" only and the Congress government will find out the entire truth.
Pinky, who was released from jail in May after serving a sentence for murdering a youth, has alleged that he was witness to at least 50 "fake" encounters and that the bodies had been disposed of as "unidentified".

"As a civilised society, we cannot allow such things to happen and those who did it must face the music," the former Chief Minister said here after participating in a 'dharna' staged by 'Shikhya Providers' (Education Providers) for their regularisation.
He said Pinky had made "shocking" claims which cannot be accepted in a constitutional and democratic society. "We will reach the root of the matter and ensure that the guilty are punished," the state Congress President said.
About the 'Shikhya Providers', Amarinder said all of them will be regularized if the Congress forms government.

He questioned why the government was not regularising their services when it had announced to recruit one lakh people in the government jobs.

The PCC President claimed that his party was "far ahead" of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance and was certain to form the next government.
He said Aam Aadmi Party may be able to cause some noise but when it comes to elections, it really did not have any scope in Punjab leave aside forming the government.
He said Punjab had suffered during the 10 years of Akali "misrule" and it cannot afford another five years of "chaos".
"People are wise enough to make a distinction as what we did between 2002 and 2007 and what Akalis did in ten years and what the AAP has done in Delhi," Amarinder said.

On revival of industries, the state Congress chief said
complete radicalisation of policies would be required to ensure that Punjab emerges as an attractive destination for industry.
Stressing the need to "reverse the trend of industries shifting to other states", he said they will be given level playing field with incentives at par with other regions.
Allaying apprehensions of 'Arhtiyas' (commission agents) loosing their money due to farmers' debt waivers, Amarinder reassured that they will get back their loans.
"We will take over all loans and ensure Arhtiyas are paid," he said, adding he will meet a delegation on December 4.

Disclosing that Congress was in the process of finalising a comprehensive programme for welfare of Dalits, Amarinder said, "They have been severely marginalised and subjected to atrocities by ruling Akalis."
Denying fund crunch could impact the fulfilment of his promises post elections, he said, "Party leaders and I are working on out-of-the-box initiatives to generate revenues."
On demonetisation, he alleged there is extreme "bitterness and anger" among people for BJP.
Amarinder once again said the forthcoming polls would be his last "as also the last for Punjab Congress Senior Vice President Laal Singh".