Sukhbir for probe into disappearance of tapping machines

Moga, Mar 31 (UNI) Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) acting president Sukhbir Badal today slammed the top officers of the Punjab intelligence department for reported ''tapping of conversations of political leaders during the previous Congress regime'' and demanded a thorough probe into ''disappearance'' of some air-phone-tapping machines.

Addressing a press conference here, he alleged that not only top political leaders of the state but also some prominent bureaucrats were kept under constant surveillance by the former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's regime and their phones were tapped and the matter deserved a thorough investigation.

On the issue of the controversial SEZ issue, Mr Badal stressed that no land will be acquired without the consent of the farmers and no farmer will be uprooted for the mega projects and SEZs without paying them actual market price of land and an additional 25 per cent payment as dislocation allowance.

He also appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare the hailstorm in Punjab as a natural calamity and demanded full compensation package of Rs 300 crore by the Centre to the state's farmers.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has announced a compensation of Rs 5000 per acre for the damaged crop and a survey was on in this regard, he added.

The acting SAD (B) chief clarified that he was the ''bridge'' between the government and the party and had already taken up the issue of early implementation of commitments and promises made by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal as per the election manifesto.

UNI