Kartarpur Corridor: Captain Amarinder Singh Refuses to Comment on Navjot Singh Sidhu's Views, Flays Pakistan Over Terror

Amritsar, November 26: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday ended the conversation on his Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s decision, to visit the ground-breaking ceremony of Kartarpur Sahib corridor in Pakistan, by saying that Sidhu is a free thinker and has his own wish. The CM also flayed Pakistan over terrorism and advised them to control it.

Addressing people in Gurdaspur on Monday on the occasion of laying foundation stone, Amarinder Singh said, “That (going to Pakistan) is his (Sidhu) wish, I can't say anything. I only know my responsibility as CM and a Sikh so that is why we wanted this (Kartarpur Corridor) to happen but also my responsibility is to maintain law and order and that prevents me from going (to Pakistan).” Kartarpur Corridor: Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu Lay Foundation Stone of Religious Corridor Between India And Pakistan.

Earlier on Sunday, state Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu accepted the invitation of Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and stated that he would attend the ground-breaking ceremony, which will also be attended by Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan. Sidhu wrote to Qureshi, “It is with great honour and unalloyed joy that I accept your invitation to attend the ground-breaking ceremony at Kartarpur Sahib on November 28. I look forward to meeting you on this historic occasion.”

However, Punjab CM took the opportunity to warn Pakistan’s army chief on ceasefire violation. He said, “I am warning you (Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Bajwa), we are also Punjabis, you will not be allowed to enter here and vitiate the atmosphere,” adding, “I would like to ask Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Bajwa something, as a soldier. Which Army teaches to violate ceasefire and kill jawans on the other side? Which Army teaches to send people to attack Pathankot and Amritsar? This is cowardness.”

Singh was of the opinion that terror and talks can’t go together. He said, “I must tell what Punjab CM said, that we can't allow terrorism and can't let innocents die, this isn't going to help, it's not the way; it must be understood. That’s why let this be the start of this great event.”

The laying of foundation stone for the construction of Dera Baba Nanak-Karatarpur Sahib corridor was done by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. In the event, along with Punjab CM, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Governor VP Badnore, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Hardeep Puri and others were present.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2018 04:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).