Congress takes credit for restoring peace in Punjab

Chandigarh, June 9 (UNI) A meeting of the Coordination Committee of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) today sought to take credit for bringing normalcy in the border state following clashes between Dera Sacha Sauda supporters and members of various Sikh religious and social organisations.

Condemning the failure of Punjab government to control the deteriorating law and order situation, the Committee at its meeting here appreciated the role of the UPA-government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Shivraj Patil for sending para-military forces to Punjab to check the violence.

The statement realeased after the meeting however made no mention of the reasons that led to the violence and clashes between Sikhs and Sacha Sacda supporters at various places in the state.

" The central forces came to the state when the whole of Punjab was held to ransom by the misguided youth, forcibly compelling the traders to shut their shops and establishments by brandishing naked swords in the streets", the statement said.

The meeting was presided over by PPCC chief Shamsher Singh Dullo and was attended by Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni and Leader of the Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha Rajinder Kaur Bhattal. Others who attended the meeting included Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, special invitee Congress Working Committee, Iqbal Singh, Secretary All India Congress Committee, former minister Mohinder Singh Kaypee , Darbari Lal and Brahm Mohindera, MLA.

Mr Dullo later said that the meeting also focused on the forthcoming Municipal Corporation elections in the state. It was decided to constitute Sub Committees for each Corporation to assess the present political situation and give recommendations to the Pradesh Congress accordingly.

It was also decided to hold block-wise meetings with effect from June 15 to 30, so as to check the entry of bogus voters in the electoral lists being prepared for the coming Municipal elections.

The party will also chalk out programme to protest against the vendetta politics being practiced by the SAD-BJP Government against Congress workers.

UNI