Police personnel’s safety is equally important: Maninderjit Singh Bitta
Amritsar, September 23 (K.L. Jit Walia): “Security personnel work day and night to protect the public and take strict action against anti-social elements while enforcing the law. Their own safety is therefore equally important,” said Maninderjit Singh Bitta, Chairman of the All India Anti-Terrorist Organisation, while speaking to the media in Amritsar.
Bitta visited the home of martyred Sub-Inspector Harjit Singh to offer condolences to his family and pay tribute to the officer. Harjit Singh was reportedly on patrol at Dana Mandi, Bhagtanwala, on the night of September 19 when two young men shot and killed him. Bitta described the incident as deeply unfortunate.
Strongly condemning the attack, Bitta alleged that those responsible were acting at the behest of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI. He said that leaders of terrorist organisations and gangsters based abroad were misleading innocent young people in India and luring them with money to carry out such attacks.
He recalled that hand grenades had previously been thrown at several police stations and police posts. He also referred to the killing of two police personnel at a post near the border in Gurdaspur district, as well as attacks on other police officers. Bitta alleged that anti-national forces operating from abroad were trying to disturb the peace in Punjab, adding that the state’s security personnel were capable of dealing with such situations.
Bitta said that during the period of terrorism in Punjab, the police had played an important role in restoring peace, with many personnel sacrificing their lives. Several political leaders had also made sacrifices during that period, he said, urging people to respect police personnel.
Referring to attacks on himself, Bitta said, “I have always fought against anti-national forces. Several bomb attacks were carried out against me in an attempt to silence my voice. Many of my security personnel and civilians were killed or injured in those incidents. But I have continued my struggle and will do so until my last breath.”
He appealed to political and social organisations to unite and raise their voices against anti-national forces. Bitta said the alleged nexus between gangsters, smugglers and terrorists had become a major threat to the country. He added that central and Punjab security agencies and forces were working round the clock to address the threat, but intelligence agencies and security personnel needed to remain even more vigilant.
In conclusion, he urged social organisations, political leaders, singers and religious preachers to organise awareness camps in schools, colleges and universities. Such initiatives, he said, could help young people stay away from anti-national activities, focus on their education and bring honour to the country.
National General Secretary Sahib Singh, noted social worker Kaka Chopra and Punjab General Secretary Pawan Saini were also present.
KL JIT WALIA
