CM Mann meets Shah, Punjab to get extra forces

New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss issues of national security among other things. The meeting comes ahead of the anniversary of Operation Blue Star in the first week of June amid rise in pro-Khalistan activities.
Mann said the state government will cooperate with the Centre on the issue of national security “above political and party lines”. He also said that Punjab will get 10 more companies of paramilitary forces.
“Detailed discussions were held with Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter of national security. We will support (the Centre) above party and political level on the matter of national security,” Mann said after meeting Shah here.
“They sent 10 paramilitary companies to us recently. There are intelligence reports that there are attempts to spread hatred in Punjab. To stop that, 10 more companies of paramilitary forces will be given to Punjab,” he said.
Mann also demanded anti-drone technology for the border areas. Other matters discussed included the Basmati crop and Punjab’s share in Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) , the Chief Minister said.
This was Mann’s first meeting with Shah after taking over as the chief minister of Punjab.
Operation Blue Star was the codename of the military operation by security forces between June 1 and 10, 1984, to remove Damdami Taksal, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and their followers from the buildings of the Golden Temple.