SYL: State border turns fortress for INLD march

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, February 22

The stage is all set for the big day tomorrow with forces deployed in strength on both sides of the state border.

While the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is adamant on taking out a march towards Punjab to dig the SYL canal on Thursday, the district administration and police officials have geared up to keep the status quo and law and order maintained.

Sources said the administration had the apprehensions that the situation might turn volatile, so it advised INLD leaders not to march towards Punjab and keep their protest symbolic. The administration has decided to set up barricades on five different locations to prevent them from marching towards the neighbouring state.

DGP KP Singh, along with ADGP RC Mishra and SP Abhishek Jorwal, reviewed the security arrangements at the Shambhu border. Senior officials of Haryana and Punjab held meetings to chalk out a strategy for tomorrow.

The DGP said, “To maintain law and order in the region, ample arrangements have been made. I have reviewed the preparations.”

While Punjab has paramilitary forces along with its police force to tackle any untoward situation, Haryana has to rely on the 11-12 companies of the state police.

INLD district president Sheeshpal said, “We have assured the DGP that we will keep our march peaceful and appoint volunteers to handle the workers. We are expecting around 1 lakh people to reach Ambala for the march.”

A stage has been prepared at the vegetable market from where the INLD has planned to take out the march.

Deputy Commissioner Prabhjot Singh said, “The INLD leaders have been advised to keep their protest peaceful and symbolic so that the law and order is maintained. The Supreme Court has ordered status quo on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link issue and the administration will not allow the INLD to violate these orders at any cost.”

“The INLD had sought the permission to hold a rally and not to take out a march. Barricades will be set up to stop them. Meetings with the senior officials of Punjab and Haryana have been held and efforts are being made to maintain order. Ample police force and district officials will be deployed to handle the situation. They wouldn’t be allowed to take out a march with spades or weapon,” he added.