'India, Pakistan should cooperate to fight terrorism'

Chandigarh, Nov 3: Congress Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Amarinder Singh on Nov 3 condemned the bomb blast across the border at Wagah which killed more than 60 people and injured over 100 others.

He said it was high time that India and Pakistan cooperate with each other to fight terrorism and expressed hope that the rogue elements in that country were not provided state protection and patronage.

Addressing a public meeting at Konewala village near Indo-Pak border in Ajnala assembly segment here, Singh said, while in the past the hostilities would hit the border people, but now, nobody was safe anywhere. He expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives in such terror acts.

"It is the innocent blood that is spilled whether here (in India) or there (in Pakistan) and the two countries can jointly fight this scourge in a strong and better way," he observed, while adding that the onus was on Pakistan as it must positively respond to India's friendly gestures.

Singh recalled his long association with the region's border areas when he would visit along with Gen Harbakah Singh during 1965 Indo-Pak war.

"I can still recall those days," he said adding that thankfully there has been peace on the border and hoped it prevailed forever. Referring to problems of the locals about recurrent floods in the area, he assured, he will raise the matter of construction of 'dhusi' embankment with the Union government and expressed confidence it would be completed very soon.

"This will not only help the farmers, but will be helpful from the defence point of view also", he remarked. The former Chief Minister lashed out at the Akali-BJP government in the state, particularly Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, saying he had completely given up on governance and was now busy humouring BJP leaders despite their frequent insults just to save his government.

He alleged that Badal was more concerned about saving his business interests and "that is why he was tolerating all those insults without any protest."

PTI