State Cabinet okays separate intelligence wing

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 3

The echo of Dinanagar terror attack was heard in the Punjab Cabinet meeting held here today. Besides the customary condemnation of the terror attack and announcing relief for those killed and injured in the attack, the Ministers, who met under Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, agreed on the need for having an independent intelligence wing in the state.

Amid a small power play between Akali and BJP ministers, they gave their approval for setting up an intelligence wing. With investigators and security agencies working on the theory that Pakistan has launched its “K2” (Kashmir-Khalistan) agenda, the need for better intelligence gathering in the state has gained momentum. The Cabinet also directly condemned Pakistan for the terror attack in Dinanagar.

Sources in the Home Department told The Tribune that though the Cabinet had given a go ahead for having Punjab Intelligence Cadre (Group C) Service Rules, 2015, for employees of the Punjab Police (Intelligence Wing), once the rules were framed, a separate wing/bureau was proposed to be carved out from the Police Department.

This wing will recruit its own employees and will be set up on the lines of the Bureau of Investigations, State Narcotics Bureau and the Vigilance Bureau.

“The government is concerned about peace and communal harmony in the state. Though so far the government has managed to thwart any spillover of terrorism from the neighbouring terrorist affected Jammu and Kashmir, the need for better intelligence gathering, especially now when the fringe elements are becoming active is being felt,” said a senior government functionary.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, who returned from his foreign visit today, condemned the attack, calling it an attack on the nation. He said he would get a formal briefing on the investigation, but assured that there was no threat to security in Punjab in wake of Independence Day celebrations.

Sources say during the meeting, there was some power play between Akali and BJP ministers. After BJP minister Anil Joshi was “forced” to withdraw his agenda regarding water metering being introduced in all homes and imposing of service charge on houses less than 5 marlas ( till date these smaller houses are exempt from paying water user charges), allegedly because the Deputy CM instead wants a “Swachh” cess to be introduced, based on power consumed by each household. The BJP ministers today expressed their anguish over the Dinanagar attack and rued that they did not know about the status of investigation.

Joshi, while talking to The Tribune later, said once they mentioned that they did not know the status of investigation, the Chief Minister briefed them about the places that he had visited. “But before he could reveal more about the investigation, the other agenda items listed for the meeting were taken up,” he said.

Ministers commend heroes of Dinanagar

The ministers commended the role of Gurdaspur SP Baljit Singh and three Home Guards in counter-insurgency operation. They mourned the killing of three civilians and appreciated the exemplary courage shown by Punjab Roadways driver Nanak Chand, who saved several precious lives. The Cabinet also lauded the alertness on the part of two Railway employees who averted a major tragedy

Approve ex gratia, jobs for kin

The Cabinet gave its approval for appointing the SP’s son as Deputy Superintendent of Police, an ex gratia grant of Rs 25 lakh to the legal heirs of the martyred SP and Rs 10 lakh each to the family of three martyred jawans of Home Guards. Officials of the Punjab Police and Home Guards injured in the attack to get Rs 3 lakh each. Jobs to kin of Home Guards approved. All injured policemen to be promoted and families of deceased police officials to get their salary till the date of retirement.

Condole Kalam’s death

The Cabinet unanimously passed a resolution and mourned the demise of Dr APJ Kalam and victims of Kullu bus tragedy