Amid apprehension of an adverse reaction from Pakistan to the developments in Kashmir, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday prohibited any kind of celebrations or protest that could vitiate the atmosphere in the state.
With tension escalating at the border, the Chief Minister directed the Punjab Police to be prepared to thwart any attempts by Pakistan to create disturbance in the state.
The Chief Minister was reviewing the law and order situation in the state in the wake of the revocation of Article 370 in Kashmir. Top police and civil brass attended the review meeting, which took note of the volatile situation post the Central Government’s announcement on Kashmir.
Pakistan may not take this lightly and could resort to some act against India, the Chief Minister warned, asking the state police to be ready for any eventuality. Captain Amarinder has ordered increased security for the 8000-odd Kashmiri students in Punjab, and directed SPs and DCs to meet them and talk to them personally.
The Chief Minister, who is personally monitoring the situation, has ordered scaling up of security in Punjab’s districts that border Kashmir. He reiterated his earlier directions to the police and the district administration to ensure smooth and safe movement of those leaving Kashmir via Punjab. The border areas of the state have been on heightened alert for the past two days, since tourists and Amarnath Yatris were asked to leave the Valley, citing security concerns.
Captain Amarinder has, meanwhile, appealed to all, within and outside Kashmir, to remain calm and not do anything to disturb the peace and harmony of the nation in these difficult circumstances.
The meeting was attended, among others by Chief Minister’s Media Advisor, Raveen Thukral, CPSCM, Suresh Kumar, Chief Secretary, Karan Avtar Singh, DG Punjab Police, Dinkar Gupta, Home Secretary, Satish Chandra, DGP (Intelligence), VK Bhawra and PSCM, Tejveer Singh.
