Govt to deal firmly with efforts to revive militancy in Punjab

NEW DELHI, Oct 8:In the wake of reports of some pro-Khalistan extremist groups trying to revive militancy in Punjab, the Centre today said it would deal firmly with any such attempt to fuel terrorism in the state.�There are some instances and we will deal them firmly,� Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told reporters here when asked about efforts to revive militancy in Punjab.Shinde said due to militancy in Punjab, the country suffered a lot and the economy was affected badly too.�I ask people to introspect as the country suffered a lot because of militancy and economy too had suffered,� he said.The home minister, however, refused to comment whether Punjab�s Akali-BJP government was soft towards the pro-Khalistan groups which have intensified their activities.Yesterday, Shinde had said Punjab has gone through days of terrorism and in view of this, the state government must do self-introspection before taking a decision on setting up of a controversial Operation Blue Star memorial.Security agencies have also said that extensive fund- raising campaign was being undertaken by secessionist Sikh groups in Europe and North America allegedly at the instance of Pakistan�s ISI.The agencies have informed about movement of banned Babbar Khalsa International and Khalistan Commando Force in Western countries with an aim to radicalise Sikh youth.The attack on Lt Gen (retd) K S Brar, who led Operation Blue Star, and disruption of Indian Independence Day celebrations in London this year too were the results of such activities of anti-India elements, the sources claimed. (PTI)