Sampla meets CM, expresses concern over law and order

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 27

In the backdrop of their difference of opinion on the law and order situation in the state, Punjab BJP president Vijay Sampla met CM Parkash Singh Badal today.

The former expressed concern on the law and order and the escalation of tension between religious groups.

Sampla led a delegation of BJP leaders to the CM regarding preparations for the International Yoga Day on June 21 in Chandigarh. Later, he had a closed-door meeting with Badal.

Sources in the BJP said Sampla expressed concern over the war of words between Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale and Damdami Taksal leaders, besides the recent attack on the former in Ludhiana.

Also, some videos by right-wing Hindu groups and Sikhs were in circulation on the social media where both parties had used objectionable and provocative language against each other.

He also shared fears on the mushrooming of gangs in the state and their audacity to threaten a police officer on Facebook.

The meeting assumes significance as a core group meeting of the BJP led by Sampla said that the law and order situation had deteriorated. However, the CM later said in Jalandhar that everything was under control.

The delegation included Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani, MLA Manoranjan Kalia, Assistant Media Advisor Vineet Joshi, general secretary (organisation) state BJP Dinesh Kumar and zonal in-charge Bharat Swabhimaan Trust Patanjali Yog Trust Laxmi Dutt.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal told the CM and the delegation that 10,000 participants from Punjab had already registered through the official website, confirming their participation for the Yoga Day event at Capitol Complex.

He said that full dress rehearsal would be organised on June 19. Several trained yoga instructors and experts were imparting training to the people who were interested in participating in the main event to ensure uniformity and ambience as per the yoga protocol.

The CS also told Badal that several such events would be held simultaneously at block, sub-division and district levels to enable the yoga participants to take part in this event with enthusiasm.

Hans calls CM insensitive

Jalandhar: Congress leader Hans Raj Hans on Friday lashed out at Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for calling the law and order situation in the state 'normal'. The Sufi singer-turned-politician said, "A 22-year-old youth was killed in broad daylight in Jalandhar. Instead of visiting his family, Badal was busy with his sangat darshan programme in Nakodar. This shows the CM's insensitivity."