M A I N   N E W S

Rethink Bluestar memorial: Shinde
Says there’s no infiltration from Chinese side
Perneet Singh/TNS

Attari, October 7
Without naming anybody, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today indirectly attacked the ruling SAD and the SGPC for construction of Operation Bluestar memorial.

Talking to mediapersons after inspecting the Integrated Check Post at Attari, Shinde said, “It is up to them (those constructing the memorial) to see whether they are reviving terrorism or not. They should introspect. I will only say that we have already suffered a lot due to the scourge of terrorism.”

Shinde dubbed the attack on Lt Gen KS Brar (Retd) in London as unfortunate. He, however, said he would not like to disclose about the agency that is protecting Brar. When asked whether India will extradite those who attacked him, he said it is not the right time to comment on it as the matter was still under investigation. The Home Minister, however, said the government was bound to take action against those behind the act.

On reports of Chinese incursions in J-K, Shinde said: “I have visited the China border beyond Pyong Lake. Our security personnel and officials are fully vigilant. There is no infiltration from the Chinese side, though there may be a few instances.”

Regarding SMSes which allegedly emanated from Pakistan and created panic among the North-East people staying in cities like Bangalore and Pune, he said the matter has been taken up with Islamabad.

On embezzlement of border development funds in Punjab, in which the role of former minister Gulzar Singh Ranike is under the scanner, Shinde said the state government was already investigating into it.

He said the matter has been brought to the notice of his ministry and they are looking into it.

At the ICP, the Home Minister took stock of the problems being faced by officials. “I have been told about various problems being encountered on security and trade fronts,” Shinde said, adding that his ministry will initiate all possible measures to address the grievances.

A section of Congress leaders have accused Shinde of ignoring them during his visit and lodged a strong protest with the party high command. A statement released by these Congress leaders said neither the Union Home Ministry nor the state administration informed them about Shinde’s visit. They have shot a letter to AICC president Sonia Gandhi, demanding a strong action against Shinde. “Despite AICC’s clear instructions to ministers to visit the district Congress offices, the minister neither visited any party office nor he invited any Congressmen to his events,” said the statement. On his part, Shinde said he was in Punjab on an official visit and not for any political programme. There was no need for the partymen to be angry, he said.