Non-resumption of trains may lead to unrest in Punjab: Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 7

Reacting sharply to the Railways' decision not to resume trains to Punjab, Congress minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and state Congress chief Sunil Jakhar said the Centre’s behaviour may lead to unrest in the border state and it seems there was a larger conspiracy against the state.

Responding to the statement of Railways Board Chairman RK Yadav that it was not feasible to run trains to Punjab due to protest by farmers, Randhawa said the Centre was playing a dangerous game with the border state. Randhawa was a key member in the Punjab Government committee on negotiations with farmers and the Centre on Central farm Acts.

“Our Chief Minister is worried that the well-known forces against the border State of Punjab may use this as an opportunity to provoke people and cause trouble. The Centre is playing a dangerous game of causing financial blockade but it amounts to playing with fire,” Randhawa said.

Sunil Jakhar, president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, said the move was a part of a larger conspiracy against Punjab and there may be a backlash. “This does not augur well for the region. It is against the federal spirit of the country. It is actually a frightening situation,” Jakhar said.

He termed it absurd that the Railways wanted the Punjab Chief Minister to give a guarantee for security of the trains.