India must take tough stance against Pak sponsored terrorism: Amarinder

Asking the Centre to take a tough stance against Pakistan sponsored terrorism, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday reiterated that his government will punish those responsible for the 2015 sacrilege incidents.

Speaking at a conclave here on the completion of his government's three years in office, Singh said his focus was on tackling the menace of drugs, crime and political killings - all of which were rampant under the SAD-BJP rule.

"If the Akalis think we are sitting quietly and won't take action against those behind the sacrilege incidents and other serious issues, they are sadly mistaken," Singh said, adding that he will not engage in a war of words with the opposition as he was focused on issues related to the state's welfare.

Asserting that his government will not allow Pakistan-backed terrorists to foment trouble in Punjab, the chiefminister said he has been urging the central government to be tough on Pakistan.

Punjab is not Kashmir and is well equipped to fight back. The Army can continue fighting terror in Kashmir but in Punjab, in addition to the BSF as the first line of defence at the borders, the 85,000 strong police force will deal with any threat, he said.

Singh said terror attacks like the one in Pulwama or the chopping of heads of Indian soldiers at the border was not acceptable.

"This cannot go on... We have to be tough with Pakistan, they do not understand any other language," he said, adding that he did not really understand the policy of the neighbouring country, which was fighting everyone on all fronts.

On a lighter note, the chief minister recalled how former Pakistan Prime Minister Pervez Musharraf had released 500 Indian prisoners after he shared their list with the then Pakistan President who was visiting India.

Pointing out that drugs were being pushed into Punjab from nearby states as well as countries including Nepal and Burma via Delhi, Singh said the state has become a hub for narco terrorists and the fight to eliminate drugs completely was continuing on war footing.

He said large quantities of China-made drones along with weapons and drugs from across the border were seized through the collective efforts of Punjab Police and the Special Task Force (STF).

Blaming movies and television for popularising 'gang culture' in the state, Singh said he had instructed the police force to show no mercy to criminals and gangsters.

Gangsters had a free reign during the Akali rule and were going around shooting anyone including the police. But the police have now got the better of them with nearly 2,500 being arrested and 11 neutralised, he said.

Singh vowed that he will not let Punjab return to the dark days of terrorism and violence.