Symbolic filling up of SYL canal
From Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service

DOOMCHHERRI (Ropar), March 20 — The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) SAD (A) led by its president, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, today symbolically filled up a part of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal on the boundary of Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts near here with a view to permanently block the flow of Punjab water through this canal.

SAD (A) workers erected a bandh across the dry canal by lifting earth from inside and outside the canal. They also broke some parts of cemented slabs erected on both sides inside the canal to express their protest and bring attention on the issue.

To symbolically fill up the SYL canal a resolution was adopted by the party at the Hola Mohalla conference held on March 2 at Anandpur Sahib. It was announced there that the party would start the symbolical filling up of the canal on March 20 from Doomchherri, saying that even a single drop of Punjab water would not be allowed to cross the territory of the state through the canal.

Talking to mediapersons Mr Mann, alleged that Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, and the Centre had negotiated on the SYL issue and the nationalisation of river waters. He said the Centre wanted to make the Punjab waters a national property. For doing so it might shift the river waters from the State List to Union List which would enable the Central government to enact a legislation on river waters and open way for the nationalisation of the same.

The president of SAD (A) also charged Mr Badal with the selling of Punjab's interests to the Centre. He said the failure on the issue of Udham Singh Nagar and support on Article 356 were such examples. His party had no faith in what Mr Badal, said, he added.

Mr Mann warned the Haryana Government and the people of the state that if they closed the passing of coal or other articles through Haryana to Punjab, his party would start the proceedings for filling up other canals which had been supplying water to Haryana. He also asked Mr Badal to initiate action for stopping the existing supply of Punjab waters to Haryana.

Mr Kuldip Singh Wadala, President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) said he and Mr Mann were here to challenge Mr Badal's government which had failed on every front. He admitted that they could not fill the entire canal but were lodging their protest.

Mr Wadala also exhorted Mr Badal not to interfere in the Panthic affairs. He also alleged that the Chief Minister had violated the hukamnama.

Among others who were present on the occasion included Mr Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, SAD (A) MLA, Mr Iqbal Singh Tiwana, party's chief spokesman, Mr Dhian Singh Mand, former MP, Mr Satnam Singh Behru, President of the SAD (A) (Kisan Wing), Mr Balwinder Singh Bains, President of the SAD (A) (Youth Wing), presidents of district units of Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib. Some Muslims from Malerkotla also participated in the programme.

Bansi demands stern action against Mann
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 20 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, has described as "provocative" and "anti-national" the act of filling up of the SYL canal near Morinda in Punjab by the Akali Dal (Amritsar) President, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, today.

Mr Bansi Lal also sought the intervention of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, in resolving the SYL issue without further delay as the non-completion of this important canal in Punjab was not only depriving Haryana of its due share of Ravi-Beas waters, but also causing a huge loss of foodgrain production to the country.

He said stern action should be taken against Mr Mann for working against the interests of the country. He also said that it appeared the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, was hand in glove with Mr Mann as the former too had been in recent days reiterating that Punjab would not complete SYL canal in Punjab.

Mr Bansi Lal said a few days ago Mr Badal had declared in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha that he would not allow water from the SYL canal to flow into Haryana.

The issue is pending with the Eradi tribunal to which Punjab is a party. Punjab has boycotted the issue.

Mr Bansi Lal described that act of filling up of the canal as a display of extreme jungoism. He was pained at the inaction of the Punjab Government which had advance notice of Mr Mann's intention. He said the government and the people of Haryana resented this act. He added that the Government of Haryana would do everything to take its legitimate share in water and joint power projects.