Four Para Military Forces companies deployed along Punjab-Haryana border

[Hindustani78]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...unjab-haryana-border/articleshow/55402231.cms

By PTI | Updated: Nov 13, 2016, 07.29 PM IST

PATIALA: Four companies of Para Military Forces were deployed today as a security measure to prevent escalation of any tension due to the Supreme Court's ruling on Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal issue.

Inspector General of Police (Patiala Zone) Paramraj Singh Umranangal confirmed the deployment of four companies of Para Military Forces.

He said that two companies have been deployed in Patiala district and one each in Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib district.

He said that the deployment is concentrated over the Punjab and Haryana border and along the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

Meanwhile, Patiala police chief Gurmeet Chauhan said that flag marches were conducted in Rajpura and Patran area of Patiala district.

The Supreme Court on Thursday held as unconstitutional the 2004 law passed by Punjab to terminate the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal water sharing agreement with neighbouring states.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...-dig-syl-canal-punjab-deploys-police-4533022/
The Punjab government has sought 20 companies of Paramilitary Forces from the Centre, he said, adding they will also reach the state soon.

By: PTI | Chandigarh | Published:February 19, 2017 5:08 pm

The Punjab government today deployed forces at Kapoori and Shambu border in Patiala district, about 30 km from here, in the wake of Haryana’s Indian National Lok Dal’s call to redig the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal from February 23. “We have mobilised forces at Kapoori and Sambhu border today,” Patiala zone Inspector General of Police (IGP) B Chander Sekhar told PTI.

He said Punjab police has also taken up the matter with their Haryana counterpart so as to maintain law and order.

Besides, the Punjab government has sought 20 companies of Paramilitary Forces from the Centre, he said, adding they will also reach the state soon.

The steps have been taken to prevent any face-off between INLD workers and some radical outfits in Punjab, including Dal Khalsa, as people in the border state are against the digging or construction of the SYL canal.

Chander Sekhar also chaired a meeting of senior officials of Mohali, Patiala and Sangrur districts to supervise the arrangements of police deployment.

After recent Apex court verdict on the SYL canal issue favouring Haryana in terms of water sharing, INLD leader Abhay Chautala had announced his party workers will assemble at Ambala on February 23 and march towards Punjab for the purpose of digging the SYL canal.

“SYL is lifeline for Haryana…even the Supreme Court has given its verdict in favour of Haryana,” Chautala had said.

The Punjab Police has decided to seal the state border within a couple of days to thwart any untoward move from the other side.

INLD’s announcement to redig the canal drew sharp reactions from ruling Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab which hit back asking the party not to indulge in provocative activities.

SAD maintained it will never let the project complete “as it would deprive the farmers of Punjab of their own waters”.

“The issue of the SYL is dead once and for all as the Punjab Assembly and SAD-BJP government of the state has passed resolutions for restoration of the land acquired for the project,” Punjab Cabinet Minister and SAD spokesman, Daljit Singh Cheema, had said.

He said as the land acquired for the project has been restored to the original owners and it is now in the possession of the farmers of Punjab.

He said the issue is “more of life and death for not only the farmers of the Punjab but for the all Punjabis as the state was already witnessing depletion of the water table in the recent years”.

Cheema further said it was “most unfortunate” thing that political parties from neighbouring Haryana are resorting to “provocative actions” by issuing statements on digging of canal.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal have announced on multiple occasions that the SAD is committed to safeguard waters of the state.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...s-in-wake-of-inlds-threat-to-dig-syl-4536252/

By: PTI | Chandigarh | Published:February 21, 2017 4:28 pm

PCC chief Amarinder Singh has demanded deployment of the armed forces to prevent any untoward incident on Thursday, when INLD plans to force its way into Punjab to dig the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. Expressing concern over reports of digging of holes by suspected INLD workers in Ambala, from where the party plans to move into Punjab, Amarinder alleged the Haryana government was not serious about nipping the threat in the bud.

“Only the deployment of armed forces, with preventive action against the INLD’s leadership, could foil any attempt to violate Punjab’s borders,” he added.

Earlier, the Punjab government has deployed forces at Kapoori and Shambu border in Patiala district, about 30 km from Chandigarh, in the wake of INLD’s move.

The Punjab government had also sought 20 companies of Paramilitary Forces from the Centre.

Notably, Haryana’s main opposition Indian National Lok Dal’s senior leader Abhay Chautala had announced that party activists will assemble at Ambala (Haryana) on February 23 and march towards Punjab for the purpose of digging the SYL canal after the recent Apex court verdict favouring Haryana in terms of sharing of river waters.

Amarinder also demanded preventive arrest of INLD leader Abhay and cancellation of party supremo Om Prakash Chautala’s parole to control the situation, “which have escalated to dangerous proportions”.

“Abhay’s adamant stand on the issue, and his defiant threat to go ahead with the SYL incursion even if the Army is called in, is ground enough for his preventive detention,” the former Punjab Chief Minister said in a statement here.

He said the central government should immediately step in to order large-scale deployment of the armed forces ahead of the threatened move by the INLD.

“Abhay Chautala’s defiant and provocative statements on the issue could have a long-term, explosive impact on Punjab’s peace,” Amarinder warned.

“Being a sensitive border state, Punjab could not be left to its own devices to handle the current volatile situation, particularly in the light of the fact that the state was in post-poll limbo, still awaiting the outcome of the assembly elections with no government worth the name at the helm to protect its interests,” said the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president.

 

[Hindustani78]

He said if Amarinder was seriously concerned about any possible revival of militancy then he should work to find out respectable resolution to lingering Punjab problem.
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...amarinder-singh-over-syl-canal-issue-4536455/

By: PTI | Chandigarh | Published:February 21, 2017 5:58 pm

Dal Khalsa on Tuesday strongly criticised Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh who predicted “terror” revival threat in the state over the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, and blamed him for exaggerating the situation. Taking Amarinder to task for allegedly raising the bogey of terror, Dal Khalsa party head Harpal Singh Cheema reminded the former chief minister that the first practical action to effectively stop the construction of the SYL canal was taken up by Babbar Khalsa militants in 1990s.


Had it been left to traditional mainstream politicians, the SYL would have been a reality long back, he said. He said the digging of SYL was next to impossible now adding it is not the SYL issue that had the potential to trigger the revival of armed rebellion but the continued “injustice” being meted out to Punjab by all organs of the state.

He said if Amarinder was seriously concerned about any possible revival of militancy then he should work to find out respectable resolution to lingering Punjab problem. Cheema said Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Chautala was creating chaos only to revive his political moorings, adding the Badal family have abandoned Punjab in this hour of crisis to felicitate their Haryana friend Om Parkash Chautala to play misadventure. He said given the chance, the people of Punjab were enough to deal with the likes of Chautala and protect its water resources from any outside aggression.

 

[Hindustani78]

On alert: Police deployed on the Punjab-Haryana Border near Shambu on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: PTI
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ch-to-dig-SYL-canal-today/article17349900.ece

Issue must not be politicised, says Chief Minister Khattar; Chautala doing politics: Congress
Ahead of the Indian National Lok Dal's (INLD) plan of marching towards Punjab on February 23 in an attempt to dig the controversial Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said that the issue should not be politicised.

“An all-party delegation led by him had called on the President of India on this issue and he had given a patient hearing. Supreme Court has already repealed the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act-2004 passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and now the matter was pending with the apex court for implementation,” said Mr. Khattar.

He said that though the SYL issue was sub-judice, Haryana should get its due share of water. “I'm hopeful that the State would get its rightful share,” he said.

“I urge to the people and other political parties not to take law in their own hands. Even though this issue is related to Punjab government yet I believe that peace would prevail in the State,” he said, adding the law and order situation in Haryana would be maintained.

INLD leader Abhay Chautala has announced that party worker would march towards Punjab after gathering in Ambala's grain market - to dig SYL canal in an attempt to get its share of water.

Barricades erected
In the wake of INLD's proposed march security arrangements have been beefed by both Haryana and Punjab police at the border villages of the two States in a bid to keep law and order situation under check. Barricades have been erected at Shambhu barrier on NH1 on Punjab and Haryana border and to prevent individuals from assembling in the area, section 144 has been implemented.

While Punjab has deployed 10 companies of paramilitary forces and around 5,000 policemen in villages adjoining Haryana border. Haryana on other hand has deployed five companies of paramilitary forces, besides heavy deployment of police.

Even the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to maintain surveillance in view of the proposed march by INLD workers.

Punjab and Haryana are set for a face-off on the issue of sharing water from the SYL canal after political parties from both the States have taken a stiff stance on water sharing.

While Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has been reiterating that Punjab does not have extra water to spare for any other State and not a single drop can be allowed to flow through SYL, the Punjab Congress president Capt. Amarinder Singh had demanded preventive arrest of INLD leader Abhay Chautala and alleged that it was evident that the Haryana government was not serious about nipping the situation that could arise out the proposed march.

PTI adds:The Haryana Congress on Wednesday hit out at the INLD, accusing it of doing politics over the water-sharing issue.

Speaking to scribes here, State Congress chief Ashok Tanwar dubbed the INLD’s announcement as “a political stunt” and said the party had earlier failed to support various accords which were in Haryana’s favour.

Fight for survival
“What INLD is doing is just a political stunt. The party is on its last legs and fighting for its survival. Now, suddenly it has dawned upon them that they have to safeguard Haryana’s interests on water issue,” said Mr. Tanwar. “INLD opposed Rajiv-Longowal and other accords which were in Haryana’s favour. Everyone knows that the Chautalas and the ruling Badal family in Punjab share close family ties. Both the Akalis and the INLD have been shadow-boxing on the water issue to fool the people,” he said.

The State Congress chief alleged the INLD of using the SYL issue “like a political football for its vested interests”.

“In Haryana, everyone knows they are playing second fiddle to the BJP and now no one is going to believe in the stunts they are trying to indulge in,” Mr Tanwar said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) workers march towards Haryana-Punjab Shambu Border on SYL issue in Ambala.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...id-to-enter-Punjab-foiled/article17356953.ece

The Punjab police arrested Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Haryana Assembly Abhay Chautala, for violating prohibitory orders when they attempted to step into Punjab to dig the controversial Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal at Shambhu barrier on NH-1 at the Punjab and Haryana border.

Fifteen party MLAs and two MPs were among those who courted arrest after they were stopped by the Punjab police near the Shambhu barrier for breaching section 144 of the Cr P C.

“SYL canal is the lifeline of Haryana and we will fight to get water for the State,” said Mr. Chautala, addressing a “Jal Yudh Sammelan” rally at the Ambala vegetable market. Thousands of INLD workers then marched towards the Shambhu barrier in an attempt to enter Punjab and start digging the SYL Canal in symbolic gesture. At the barrier, the Punjab police issued them a warning and asked them to leave. They were arrested when they refused.

Strong case
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, meanwhile, said the INLD was inciting the people to dig the canal so that the decision of the Supreme Court cannot be implemented. “The State had presented a strong case for the construction of the SYL Canal in the Supreme Court, which ruled in favour of the State. The step taken by the INLD was not in the interest of the people and was more likely to harm the State.”

He said the Shiromani Akali Dal and the INLD were colluding to hamper the construction of the canal. “Haryana government will not allow these parties to succeed in their evil designs and will ensure that Haryana get its rightful share of the water within the ambit of the law,” he said.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh warned of a serious law and order problem in the old Naxalite and Khalistani belt of southern Punjab if the SYL canal construction was completed without taking the ground realities into account.

Pointing to the huge infrastructural cost involved in the canal construction.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/india/verd...ink-canal-have-to-be-executed-sc_1982844.html

New Delhi: In a stern message to Punjab, the Supreme Court today said its verdict allowing construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal in Haryana and Punjab has to be implemented.

A bench comprising Justices PC Ghose and Amitava Roy also made clear that it would deliberate upon Punjab's contention as to whether the judgement of a five-judge constitution bench, which held its law unconstitutional, was binding.

"The decree passed by this court has to be given effect to," the bench said.

A five-judge bench, while answering the Presidential Reference on November 11, 2016, had held that the Punjab Termination of Agreement Act, 2004 was unconstitutional as it negated the effect of apex court judgements of 2002 and 2004.

Senior advocate R S Suri, appearing for the Punjab government, said the five-judge bench verdict was not binding as it was given under its advisory jurisdiction and the Punjab law still stands.
He also said that the decrees passed by the apex court was not executable.

The Punjab government told the bench that the verdict which held Punjab Termination of Agreement Act, 2004 as unconstitutional did not render the law invalid, as the apex court had only given an opinion on the Presidential Reference.

The Parkash Singh Badal government told the court that the State Act took away the very basis of the 2002 decree that went in favour of construction of SYL canal.

Suri said Punjab was forced to pass the 2004 Act because its water complaint filed in January 2003 was not acted upon and the Centre never set up a water tribunal to address its grievances.

The bench, however, clarified that it would not revisit the facts and asked both the states to argue whether the verdicts including the one delivered on the Presidential Reference were binding or not.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the Haryana government, opposed Punjab's submission and said if one state has to challenge the validity of a law passed by another, then it would pose serious consequences for India's integrity.

"If one state is forced to challenge the validity of a law passed by another state before the Supreme Court, then the Indian federation is not on a stable course," Divan said.


First Published: Thursday, March 2, 2017 - 19:28

 

[Hindustani78]

The All-Party delegation led by the Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, regarding Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal issue, in New Delhi on March 24, 2017.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh chairing an All-Party meeting on Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal issue, in New Delhi on March 24, 2017. The Union Home Secretary, Shri Rajiv Mehrishi is also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...will-discuss-syl-canal-issue-with-ag-4584276/

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday assured a delegation of all political parties of Haryana led by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar that he will discuss the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal issue with the Attorney General. “We have submitted a memorandum to the Home Minister and apprised him in detail of Haryana’s position in light of Supreme Court’s judgement on the SYL canal issue,” Khattar told reporters after the meeting.

Replying to a question, he said, “The Home Minister has assured the delegation that he will discuss the issue with the Attorney General.” Punjab and Haryana have been at loggerheads over the SYL canal issue. The Supreme Court had in a verdict last November held as unconstitutional the 2004 law passed by Punjab to terminate the SYL canal water sharing agreement with neighbouring states.

Haryana has been seeking the construction of the canal for getting a share of the Ravi-Beas waters. Former state Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who was also part of the delegation, said it is high time the Centre took it seriously. “It is strange that despite BJP being in power at the Centre and in the state, Haryana is not getting its right. Today, we have requested the Home Minister to resolve the issue at the earliest,” he said.

Besides BJP and Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leaders also met Singh, but separately, and conveyed him that the Centre should play more active role in this matter.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/606024/sc-allows-centre-hold-meeting.html

Ashish Tripathi, New Delhi: April 12, 2017, DH News Service

The court posted the plea made by the Haryana for execution of the decree of the apex court on construction of the canal for consideration on April 27. DH FIle photo

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the Union government to hold a meeting of all stake-holders with regard to construction of Satluj-Yamuna link canal on April 20.

“We do not want to shut the door to an amicable solution...it (the matter) is question of an execution of the decree passed by this court. It is in the interest of everyone,” a bench of Justices P C Ghose and Amitava Roy said.

The court posted the plea made by the Haryana for execution of the decree of the apex court on construction of the canal for consideration on April 27.

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the Centre, informed the court that a meeting has been organised on April 20 at the highest level. “The Union government is trying to find out the solution,” he said.

“If it is not settled (between the parties), we will continue to hold the hearing,” the bench said on a plea by Haryana, represented by senior advocate Shyam Divan, that the matter should be heard by the court.

The meeting has been called on April 20 after Punjab chief minister Capt Amrinder Singh has raised “certain issues” on Ravi Beas waters with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a memorandum. It would discuss the issues for “equitable and optimal utilisation of precious resources” and to “facilitate amicable resolution of the issue”.

The Punjab government, represented by senior advocates Ram Jethmalani and R S Suri had earlier insisted for the Union government to play the role of an arbitrator to resolve its dispute with Haryana on constructing 214-km long canal to link Satluj and Yamuna rivers.

Haryana had pressed for direction to digging of the canal as there have been directions in its favour by the apex court in 2002 and 2004. In response to Presidential reference, a Constitution Bench had on November 10 held that Punjab could not have taken a “unilateral” decision to terminate the agreement with Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh on sharing of the Ravi-Beas river waters.

The apex court had subsequently directed for maintaining status quo on properties of the Satluj-Yamuna link canal. It had also ordered both Punjab and Haryana to maintain law and order.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...ng-haryana-says-abhay-singh-chautala-4633786/

By: Express News Service | Chandigarh | Published:April 30, 2017 3:23 am

Senior INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala (File Photo)
To protest against Haryana not getting its share of water from the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) will stop buses and government vehicles of Punjab from entering Ambala on July 10. Also, instead of holding protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, the party will start a series of protests from May 1 at the district level in Haryana. The decisions were taken in a meeting of the state executive of INLD held in Chandigarh Saturday. Leaders of Opposition in Haryana Vidhan Sabha, INLD’s Abhay Singh Chautala said that the party will hold a symbolic protest at the Punjab-Haryana border at Ambala.

“The youth wing of the INLD will stop buses and government vehicles from entering Haryana. If any MLA, MP or even the Chief Minister of Punjab wants to cross we will stop them. However, general public will not be inconvenienced. We will allow them to pass after apprising them of the problems that Haryana is facing due to non-release of water,” he said. Chautala added that the Punjab government has been issuing statements that they will not let a drop of water into Haryana. He said that the government is not even abiding by the decision of the Supreme Court. Even the BJP has assured Punjab government of help, he said.

INLD had in February this year held a protest near the Shambhu barrier in Ambala. The party has been holding protest at Jantar Mantar as well. It was decided in the meeting today that the protests will be held at district-level from May 1. The protestors will submit memorandum to the district administration seeking completion of the SYL canal. Chautala further said that the party has passed a resolution to condemn Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. He said that the CM had gone alone to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite a decision that an all-party delegation should meet him over the issue of SYL.

The INLD passed a resolution seeking adequate power and water supply for the farmers. The party leaders condemned the decision of the Haryana government that power supply to areas where line losses are more will be reduced. Chautala also said that the compensation of Rs 12,000 per acre announced by the government for farmers who lost their standing wheat crop due to fire was not enough. He said it should be Rs 25,000 per acre.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/punja...te-dialogue/story-7cnzvcUfihcuZHCDlbVgaP.html


Updated: May 12, 2017 19:25 IST
IANS, Chandigarh

Union home minister Rajnath Singh flanked by (left) Punjab CM Capt Amrinder Singh and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar after the Northern Zonal Council meeting in Chandigarh on Friday, May 12.(Anil Dayal/HT)

Following intervention by Union home minister Rajnath Singh, Punjab and Haryana on Friday agreed to try and find a mutually agreeable solution to the contentious Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue through dialogue.

Speaking at the 28th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) here, its chair Rajnath Singh suggested that the chief ministers and chief secretaries of both the states sit and discuss the issue threadbare to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution.

The minister called for marathon discussions between both states to resolve the SYL issue. “... efforts should first be made to find a solution through marathon meetings, failing which the matter should be left to the courts to decide,” he said at the NZC meeting.

In response, Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh suggested that the Union water resources ministry convene such a meeting at the earliest to take the issue forward.

The NZC comprises Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Chandigarh union territory. The last council meeting was held in New Delhi on April 25, 2015.

Addressing Friday’s meeting, Amarinder Singh pushed for SYL dispute resolution through consensus, while calling for coordination by the states concerned with the Centre to find a feasible solution to ensuring optimal utilisation of river waters based on internationally accepted riparian principles.

The Supreme Court is hearing the SYL matter as the Punjab government refused to implement an apex court verdict — delivered on November 10, 2016, on a presidential reference — to allow the SYL canal construction to share river waters with Haryana.

The Punjab government has maintained it has no water to spare for Haryana.

Amarinder Singh said an estimated 10 lakh acres of land in southern Punjab is likely to go dry if the SYL canal is constructed and the region, which earlier saw the emergence of Maoism, could again become a hotbed of terrorism, triggering a national problem.

“Though Haryana had less land, it was given more water at the time of Punjab’s reorganisation (in 1966),” said Amarinder Singh, pointing out that Punjab did not get any share in the Yamuna water.

The Punjab CM reiterated his demand for “re-assessment and re-determination of the availability of surface waters in the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers”.

His Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar said his government too is willing to work towards an amicable settlement to every issue, but laid emphasis on honouring agreements arrived at in the past. “We will never hesitate to take legal recourse in our determination to safeguard our interests and to protect the rights of the state’s residents,” Khattar said.

“Haryana is a water-stressed state, as availability of water is only 14.7 Million Acre Feet (MAF) against a demand of 36.0 MAF. “We have to give, out of our own share in the Yamuna waters, extra water to Delhi in compliance with an apex court order, even as Punjab is not delivering Haryana’s full share of the Ravi-Beas waters,” the Haryana Chief Minister said.

Khattar said it was a matter of national concern that even after signing of the Indus Water Treaty in 1960, more than three MAF water is allowed to flow into Pakistan.