Punjab Assembly unanimously passes resolution against CISF deployment at Bhakra-Nangal dam

Chandigarh, Jul 11 (PTI) The Punjab Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a resolution against the deployment of CISF personnel at the Bhakra-Nangal dam project of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), saying the state police has been duly protecting the installations for the last 70 years.

The resolution stated that if the BBMB deploys CISF personnel, the Punjab government will not bear any financial burden arising from such deployment.

The resolution against the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was moved by Cabinet Minister Barider Goyal during the second day of the special session of the Punjab Assembly here on Friday.

As per the resolution, Punjab has re-examined the issue of deployment of CISF and had already conveyed to the BBMB on May 27 and July 4, expressing its strong reservations against the deployment of CISF.

In May, the Centre had sanctioned a contingent of 296 armed CISF personnel for providing a counter-terrorist security cover to the Nangal dam in Punjab amid the standoff between Punjab and Haryana over the sharing of water from the dam.

But the AAP government in Punjab opposed any move to deploy the CISF at the dams in the state.

Participating in the discussion on the resolution on Friday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab Police is capable of protecting the dams in the state.

"It is understood that the BBMB is contemplating to go ahead with the deployment of CISF despite strong reservations/objections by the state of Punjab. Even in the last meeting of the BBMB held on July 4, Punjab had raised its objections very strongly," read the resolution.

It stated that the installations of the BBMB have been duly protected over the last almost 70 years by Punjab Police. No such incident has ever come to the notice even during very critical times, it said.

"The state police posted at the installations is well versed with the local conditions and have been serving the projects for last so many years. As regards technology, Punjab Police is well experienced to use the latest technology. Further, Punjab Police has experience of facing such situations at the borders also. The force is as professional as any other force in the country," it said.

The deployment of CISF will increase the unnecessary and avoidable financial burden on Punjab and on other partner states. Punjab, being the major contributor to the expenditure of the BBMB, will have to bear this additional expenditure also, it said.

"The installations are within the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab or Himachal Pradesh. It is the duty of the state government concerned to maintain the law and order and also provide security to these installations within their respective jurisdiction as per law," said the resolution.

It said that as per the recent proposals, the additional financial implication due to deployment of CISF is going to be Rs 49.32 crore per annum.

"The state of Punjab is also maintaining two other dams namely Ranjit Sagar Dam and Shahpurkandi Dam. The security of these dams is more serious than the BBMB installations as these dams are very near to the international border. The security of these dams is being maintained by Punjab Police and the state government," said the resolution.

The AAP government had earlier criticised the then Congress government for giving a consent in 2021 for the deployment of CISF for the security of the BBMB. PTI CHS VSD MNK MNK