No one would be allowed to vitiate peace in Punjab : Badal

Chandigarh, Dec 5 (UNI) The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that no one would be allowed to vitiate the hard-earned atmosphere of peace and communal harmony in the state.

The Chief Minister appealed to all political parties and other organisations to guard against the ''temptation to make peace subservient to their political interests'' and stressed ''Everyone in Punjab has a stake in peace''.

In a statement issued here, Mr Badal expressed regret that certain elements were trying to play petty politics on sensitive issues but warned that the government would deal with such elements with a firm hand.

''The law enforcing agencies are keeping a round the clock vigil against any attempts to create disturbance in the state. District chiefs will be held individually accountable for safeguarding peace, communal harmony and the rule of law,'' he warned.

''While the government will fully discharge its constitutional obligation to maintain law and order at every cost, we expect everyone including political parties and other organisations to act responsibly and not give any quarters to anti-social and anti-national elements who have been decisively rejected by the people of the state,'' Mr Badal added.

''We have been given a mandate against divisive politics and in favour of peace, amity and Punjabi unity. The government is fully alive to its constitutional obligation in this regard and there will be no compromise on this, '' Mr Badal said.

''Punjabis have made supreme sacrifices to ensure peace, unity, communal harmony. These sacrifices would not be allowed to go waste,'' he asserted.

UNI