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Khalistani flags in HP, blast in Mohali call for end to politicking & united front against terror

With upcoming elections in Himachal Pradesh, Congress, BJP & AAP are fancying their chances and in coming days, name-calling will escalate and so will be the Khalistan poll plank.

Are Khalistani forces rearing its ugly head in Punjab again? Was Kumar Vishwas right in warning about Khalistani threat? Will incumbent govt be able to contain trouble mongers? These are much-debated issues after Khalistani flags were found hanging at Himachal Assembly and rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack in Mohali. Bhgwant Mann govt, after his election as Punjab CM, is facing his first big test with attack on a key police installation, however, the more concerning is the display of Khalistani flags at Himachal Pradesh Assembly. The state is going to polls this year and if any attempt is made to stoke ‘Khalistani fire’ & use it as political fodder, it may have serious repercussions.

On Monday night, the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali was attacked by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) triggering an explosion. The design & nature of ‘terror attack’ has alarmed the agencies and also sparked political blamegame. Opposition is targeting the newly elected AAP govt while the latter has warned anyone against fomenting trouble.

In Himachal Pradesh, the Khalistani flags and graffiti outside the Himachal legislative Assembly in Dharamsala has set off alarm bells ringing. Police have sealed all inter-state borders crossings to nab those behind the incident. The shocking display of Khalistani flags come at a time when the state is heading for Assembly elections. Political analysts believe that if this is not handled properly by CM Jairam Thakur, it may have a direct bearing on the elections.

Politicking has already begun and with elections round the corner in Himachal Pradesh, parties have taken the opportunity to throw muck at each other, hoping to build public opinion in their favour. BJP & Congress have been traditional challengers but with entry of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), it may turn out to be three-way fight. In the last lap of Punjab elections, AAP’s alleged ‘Khalistan connection’ became a big rallying point with all parties upping the ante against it. Kumar Vishwas’ claim on Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘wish for Khalistan’ further created a big political upheaval.

It should be a time when political fraternity as well as police forces of adjoining states should join hands to nab the culprit behind this incident and dig deeper into their conspiracy. Though, multiple agencies have swung into action for catching the perpetrators but the recent altercation between Haryana, Delhi & Punjab Police over Tejinder Bagga’s arrest has already set a bad precedent.

With upcoming elections in Himachal Pradesh, Congress, BJP & AAP are fancying their chances and in coming days, name-calling will escalate and so will be the Khalistan poll plank. But, it’s upto the parties to make a deliberate effort to restrain themselves and not letting the issue go out of hand. All must remember the price that Punjab & the whole country had to pay in defeating Khalistani insurgency. Any attempt by parties to create fresh trouble should be nipped in the bud.