punjab

Updated: Apr 22, 2017 22:29 IST

Admitting that the current system of blacklists is damaging to the psyche of Sikh youths, many of whom are on such lists, Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday agreed to have a relook at the matter.

The move comes after the Punjab chief minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh suggested doing away with the system of making such lists on religious lines.

Rajnath also agreed to look into Amarinder’s request to allow at least the descendants of the blacklisted Sikhs to visit India, an official spokesperson said after a meeting between Amarinder and Rajnath in New Delhi.

“This would prove to be a major step towards getting the blacklisted Sikh youth back into the mainstream of the society,” the spokesperson said.

On Friday, the Punjab CM had also raised the issue of blacklisted Sikh youth with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj during a courtesy call.

Alleging a serious conspiracy to disrupt the communal harmony in the state, Captain also urged the Union home minister to direct CBI and other central agencies to expedite their investigations into the cases of sacrilege and targeted killings in Punjab.

Citing Fidayeen attacks at Dinanagar police station in 2015 and at IAF station in Pathankot in 2016, Captain sought five additional companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) to strengthen the security along the India-Pakistan border on the pattern of Jammu and Kashmir.

He also demanded setting up of a second line of defence as the Punjab border becomes vulnerable to terrorist attacks as well as infiltration of terrorists, arms, and ammunition, besides drugs from across the border.

The CM also urged the home ministry to provide necessary funds to meet the recurring annual costs of the 2 Indian Reserve Battalions, for which it had recently sanctioned Rs 51.19 crore each.

Referring to the targeted killings of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Hindu and Shiv Sena leaders in Punjab since January 2016, the chief minister said that despite the best efforts and cooperation between the CBI, central agencies and the state police, it has not been possible to identify the accused so far.

Following the attack and repeated gang wars in high-security jails, including Nabha jail, Amarinder equested Rajnath Singh to provide additional CISF or CRPF forces to secure the high-profile prisons in the state.