Chandigarh: Punjab Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal on Friday (Oct. 07) disclosed the central government has revoked its earlier decision to evacuate the border villages of Punjab following Indian army’s announcement regarding so-termed “surgical” strikes along LoC on intervening night of September 26-27.
“This decision was taken after a review of the situation along the entire border with Pakistan in a meeting held at Jaisalmer yesterday which was presided over by Union home minister Rajnath Singh”, reads a statement issued by Punjab Deputy CM’s office on Oct. 07.
“Accordingly the Deputy chief minister informed chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal about the decision. The CS has informed the deputy commissioners of all concerned districts to take immediate steps to ensure smooth return of the affected people back to the border villages”, reads the statement.
GoI had ordered evacuation of border villages in Punjab
Notably, the Central Governments’ (GoI) decision to evacuate people from border belt of Punjab had invited strong criticism. Punjab government was also slammed for blindly following central government’s decision to remove people from their houses and villages situated along side the Indo-Pak border in Punjab.
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The GoI and the Punjab government were also criticised for unduly creating war hysteria in Punjab whereas no evacuation orders were passed in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan or Gujarat that too share international border with Pakistan.