M A I N   N E W S

Punjab briefs Centre
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 10
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs today sought a report on the situation in Punjab in view of the SGPC presidential poll scheduled for November 12. Expressing concern at the possible breach of peace, causing threat to law and order, the ministry sought to know the steps taken to handle the situation.

The teleprinter message was received from the MHA Joint Secretary, Mr L.C. Goyal, in the office of Chief Secretary, Y.S. Ratra today.

In response, Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh told the Centre that a series of steps had been initiated, including promulgation of the prohibitory orders around the Golden Temple Complex in Amritsar, special security arrangements inside the complex but away from the sanctum sanctorum and the “parikarma” and concentrating only on the SGPC offices and Teja Singh Samundari Hall, venue for the meeting of the SGPC house, and serais.

Another step was to round up nearly 630 persons, who were potential mischief-mongers and alleged “miscreants’’, says the state report to New Delhi. Their arrest was preventive in view of the SGPC elections. The state also told the Centre that the security forces were deployed to ensure free movement of SGPC members to ensure free, fair and smooth elections.

The Home Ministry message was in view of the ‘’bitter rivalry’’ that could become even more acute on November 12.

The sources maintained that the Union Home Ministry took exception to the manner in which the situation was being handled rather than endorsing the stand taken by the Punjab Government as was claimed by it in its press note tonight.

Line omitted

When the Punjab PR Department issued a press note about the communication received from the Home Ministry, the following line was omitted: “Reports also indicate the use of arm-twisting tactics like obstructing the free movement of SGPC members, harassment by involving them in criminal cases, allurement of benefits to them for changing loyalty”.