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No one will be allowed to exploit religious sentiments: Amarinder

Our Staff Correspondent

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday said that his Government would not allow anyone to succeed in reviving terrorism or exploit the religious sentiments of the people. Such elements would be "dealt with firmly'' in accordance with the law of the land.

Addressing a press conference, Capt. Singh sought to dismiss the recent events-- ranging from the blasts in two cinema houses of Delhi to the arrest of Jagtar Singh Hawara, a top operative of the dreaded terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)--as stray incidents.

The Chief Minister said that various attempts at reviving terrorism had failed as such negative ideology was repeatedly rejected by the people who wanted economic growth, stability and a prosperous future.

He said that the recoveries from those arrested in the Delhi blast case indicated that there was no major supply of arms, ammunition and explosives for terrorists.

Referring to his "successful'' visit to Canada, Capt Singh said that neither he nor any of his ministerial colleagues could sense any separatist "undercurrent'' or hostile emotions during the 23 scheduled meetings with different groups of Punjabis settled there as well as a visit to the Gurdwara in Toronto's Dixyland which was once known as a hub of pro-Khalistan activities. On the contrary, the Chief Minister said that a number of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) were rather keen to make investments in Punjab.

Commenting on the series of events during the "Ghallughara'' (genocide) week, which was observed to mark the 21st anniversary of `Operation Bluestar' early this month, Capt Singh demanded an apology from leader of the opposition and president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Parkash Singh Badal, and the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Bibi Jagir Kaur, who according to him had disgraced the holiest Sikh shrine, Harmandar Sahib by following a retrograde agenda.

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No one will be allowed to exploit religious sentiments: Amarinder

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