DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Asserting that the state was fighting twin battles, one against Pakistan to safeguard the borders and the other against the Union and Haryana governments to protect its water rights, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said they "foiled the nefarious design" of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to steal the state's waters.

Chief Minister Mann staged a sit in at Nangal town to ensure that the BBMB Chairman cannot divert the waters of the state to Haryana.

He said, "If Punjabis can protect the borders of the state, then they are capable enough to save its water also. It is shameful the BJP-led Union government is playing dirty games over the waters of the state in this crisis when the country is supposed to fight the enemy unitedly."

The Chief Minister said that today when in the entire country sirens are being blown for blackout as a part of strategy of battle against Pakistan, the BJP is playing petty politics with Punjab. He said that it is really shameful that BJP is searching for an opportunity in the hour of crisis (Apda mein Avsar) to harm interests of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab will never allow the nefarious plans of the BJP to succeed and not even a single drop of water will be shared with any other state.

The Chief Minister said that BJP and its allies are in haste for stealing the water from the state whereas Haryana has been using 4000 cusec for the entire year. He said that the BJP should tell that whether Punjab should safeguard the borders of the country or they should protect the waters. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to vigilance of the state government today the illegal stealing of water by BBMB and Haryana has been prevented.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will challenge the decision of the High Court on the BBMB and water sharing in the Apex court adding that the battle to protect the waters will be fought politically and legally. He said that the BBMB Chairman has tried to illegally loot the water of the state which is highly condemnable. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that any such move will not be tolerated and the state government will oppose it tooth and nail.

The Chief Minister categorically said that if the state is capable of protecting the borders of the country, it can save the waters of Punjab too. He said that Punjab has a glorious history of making supreme sacrifices to protect the 532 kilometres long border with Pakistan. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that today also Punjabis are at the forefront giving a befitting reply to the Pakistani Army and no stone will be left unturned for it.

The Chief Minister said that Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) was originally established to manage the waters of the Sutlej and Beas rivers.

However, he said that for years, Punjab's water has been diverted to other states through the BBMB adding that the BJP government has started using this board for its political interests. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Without consulting Punjab, meetings are being called at midnight, and under pressure from other states, Punjab's rightful share is being taken away.

Describing BBMB as a white elephant, the Chief Minister demanded for its reconstitution as per the new constitution. He said that it is totally useless and unacceptable in the present form adding that Punjab will never accept it now. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is ironic that employees of other states are being paid from the exchequer of state and they harm the interests of Punjab only.

The Chief Minister said that in recent days, the Bharatiya Janata Party, through its Haryana government, the central government, and BBMB, has been attempting to snatch Punjab's rights.

He said that in an unconstitutional and illegal manner, BBMB meetings are being convened to forcibly divert Punjab's water to Haryana. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that even the BBMB uses the money of the state to fight legal battles against Punjab, which is highly deplorable.

The Chief Minister said that operation Sindoor is a laudable step to crush the anti-India tirade by Pakistan through terrorists camps in POC.

He said that while the Indian Army has destroyed the terrorist centres being run by Pakistan and on the other hand our religious places are being targeted by the enemy during bombardment from across the border. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjabis are the brave hearts that can do anything for the country but the BJP led government has adopted an anti-Punjab stance against the state which is not correct.

(editor@dailyworld.in)