No takers for Pakistan Radio allegation over misuse of anti-terror laws

Amritsar, Jan 21 : The Government of Indian Punjab has strongly rebutted Pakistan Radio allegations that the Indian Government misused the anti-terror laws like POTA against minorities in the state.

A Punjab Government Cabinet Minister, Gulzar Singh Ranike, said: "This is absolutely false allegation. I have myself served in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Nagaland, Laddakh and other parts of the country, and I haven't witnessed any incident in which the authorities have discriminated against minorities."

The credentials of Pakistan Radio are now being questioned as it persistently tries to spread strident anti-India disinformation through its "Punjabi Durbar" programme.

Coming down heavily on the views propagated by 'Punjabi Durbar' programme of Pakistan Radio, Singh added that no Indian law has different treatments for Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs.

"Whosoever does anti-terror activities or anti-national activities is dealt with firmly. No discrimination of any kind creeps in," he added.

Recalling his own stint in Punjab for the last 10 to 15 years, Ranike said he had never ever witnessed any incident in which the TADA or POTA was misused.

Commenting on the allegation that Sikhs were tortured by Punjab Police, Ranike said: "How can we take their words seriously. They must provide substantial evidence in connection with their allegations."

Criticising Pakistan Radio for its attempt to infuse sectarian and communal hatred, Ranike further said Pakistan should take care of burgeoning Islamist radicalism within its own boundaries. Though the Musharraf regime has revoked the emergency, the law and order situation in Pakistan is still tense. Pakistan Radio is spreading falsehood to hide that internal turmoil.

Pakistan Radio's programme only reveals that Pakistan cannot see a prosperous and developed Punjab.

The people of Indian Punjab laugh at this sort of propaganda, which claims that Sikhs in India, and especially in Punjab, are faced with a grim future.

ANI