Those out to disturb peace will be dealt with an iron hand: CM

Badal said one person had been rounded up by the police in connection with the photo controversy and a probe is being conducted into whether the incident was a planned conspiracy. In his speech,Badal accused the Congress of engineering “such incidents which posed a threat to peace in the state”.

Speaking on the proposal allowing amnesty to Sikh youth,who took to militancy earlier,the CM said the government had already provided the Union government with a list of the youths who want to return to Punjab and join mainstream society. Referring to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s offer of reviewing the case of blacklisted Sikh NRIs,Badal said the state government will take up the matter with the Centre.

Slamming the Union government for the fertiliser price hike,Badal said the decision would prove fatal for the farming community that is already weathering a major crisis.

Need thorough probe into Batala incident: Amarinder
Reacting to the violent clashes that took place in Batala on Saturday,former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh said a thorough probe into the incident,to ascertain if there was any political motive behind the incident,was the need of the hour. He said such incidents were increasing by the day and the state government seems to have lost control. “We provided peace during our five years of governance. These three years of SAD-BJP rule has witnessed a spate of such condemnable incidents,” said Amarinder. He accused the ruling Akali Dal of polarising the Sikh for political motives. “It is important to probe the genesis of the clashes,” he added.

Culprits held,maintain peace: Deputy CM
Kila Raipur: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to the people of Punjab to maintain peace and harmony in the state stating that the culprits behind the “blasphemous” act had been arrested. Speaking to mediapersons at Kila Raipur,Badal said a special police team was interrogating the accused and would ascertain their motive,if any,in fomenting violence and communal hatred in Punjab. Talking about the surrender policy for Sikh terrorists,he said: “The Union government should frame this policy for the entire country and not just one state.”