Kartarpur Sahib corridor: Amarinder warns Pak against terror activities

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday used the foundation stone-laying event for Kartarpur Sahib corridor across Indo-Pak border for Sikh pilgirms to warn Pakistan to stop anti-terror activities against India and said "we have a large army and we are prepared".

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who laid the foundation stone for the much-awaited corridor, access to which is seen as a goodwill gesture by Pakistan, called it "beginning of a new chapter" in bilateral ties and said it will act as a "unifier" to build bridges across old chasms.

However, Naidu also lamented that it was unfortunate that some people made terrorism their policy and India would not allow terrorism and killing of innocent on its soil. However, he didn't name Pakistan.

While Punjab chief minister turned down Pakistan's invitation to participate in the inauguration there on Wednesday, his cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu, who described the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan as an "angel" for accepting the long-pending demand of Sikh pilgrims, will be going.

"There are tremendous possibilities in this corridor, only a political was required which has been shown by an angel (Imran Khan) across the border and as well our government here," Sidhu told reporters.

Defending his decision of not going to Pakistan, the chief minister said, "Punjab has been suffering due to terrorism for 20 years and is paying even today... This is why I will not go to Pakistan till violence stops. My heart wants me to go there but I have commitment to ensure safety of my people."
Asserting that India wants good relations with its neighbours, Naidu said,"This is a corridor that opens new doors. It is a path that opens up new possibilities. It is a unifier, building bridges across old chasms. It promotes deeper understanding and a new resolve to connect the people of our two countries through love, empathy and invisible threads of common spiritual heritage."