Bajwa wants quota in security forces for border youth

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 28

Rajya Sabha member Partap Singh Bajwa today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here today, demanding 10 per cent reservation in security forces for youths from Punjab’s border villages.

He suggested a “second line of defence” in border villages of Punjab by recruiting youths aged between 18 and 40 years. “They can act as vigilant groups and help the Army and BSF to check cross-border infiltration,” he said.

During the meeting, which lasted for about 15 minutes, the Congress leader urged Modi to intervene in the completion of 40-km Qadian-Beas rail link sanctioned in 2013 during the UPA rule. He handed over two letters in this connection.

Bajwa said the Prime Minister was receptive and assured of positive consideration on the matter.

He said, “Every small and large village (approximately 1,000 in number) in Punjab stretching from Pathankot to Fazilka (six districts) within a radius of 5 kms from the border can have its own force. It can comprise of 20 to 50 youths living there. They can be given training and equipped with .303 rifles which are not in use by the Punjab Police, besides some honorarium.”

Infiltration, Bajwa said, had increased in Jammu and Kashmir in one year and Punjab had also witnessed two terrorist attacks. “I foresee international radical forces attempting to disturb peace in Indian and increase in terror activities,” he submitted to Modi.

On the rail link, Bajwa said, “The project is of significance because Qadian is the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslims. Beas is the headquarters of the Radha Soami sect.”