We're keeping vigil: Badal

By Our Staff Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 28. The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, today said the State Government would keep a close watch on the activities of the Khalistan protagonist, Dr. Jagjit Singh Chauhan, and assured the people that peace would be maintained at all costs while the law would take its own course.

Talking to presspersons, Mr. Badal sought to distance himself from the return of Dr. Chauhan and top militant, Wassan Singh Zaffarwal. Responding to reports in some sections of the media, he said Dr. Chauhan had returned following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Regarding the possibility of both the pro-Khalistan activists joining mainstream politics, Mr. Badal said there was no scope for such ideology and personalities in the faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which he heads. Without making any direct reference, he said people in the State wanted permanence of peace, which had been established by his Government.

The arrival of Dr. Chauhan here last evening by Shatabadi Express, did not provoke any major response from any section of the society. Except for a group of journalists, Press and TV photographers, Dr. Chauhan was received by his wife, Ms. Charanjit Kaur, and his advocate, Mr. Ranjan Lakhanpal. Police preferred to keep a ``safe distance''.

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Section  : National
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