India    12-Sep-2016

With assembly polls in Punjab around the corner, the state is now facing threats from Khalistan elements, which even though few in number, are still active and reportedly getting support from foreign-based intelligence agencies like Pakistan’s ISI. “All political parties must refrain from indulging in any kind of vote-bank politics, especially in such sensitive times when the polls are near. The ISI in Pakistan does not have a better moment than this to strike and make parties forget their morals, thus creating unrest,” the Chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) M S Bitta said. “Further asserting that no political parties must associate themselves with Khalistani elements whatsoever, he added that the Centre and intelligence agencies must take charge and ensure that nothing untoward happens in the state. “You can’t just leave everything on the security forces. People in the state, including politicians, must make themselves aware of the dangers Khalistani elements pose in the state with the polls nearing,” Bitta said.