Don't interfere in Kashmir, stop 'eyeing' Punjab: Amarinder to Pak

Before he left for Kartarpur on Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh warned Pakistan against interfering in Kashmir and to stop "eyeing" Punjab, and said it won't succeed in its "nefarious designs". Singh also said he hoped Pakistan would understand that India wants friendly relations with it. Punjab chief minister was part of first batch of over 550 Indian pilgrims that entered Pakistan through Kartarpur corridor, which was thrown open days ahe of 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev on vember 12.

corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur. Singh said he h repeatedly asked Pakistan to desist from its "nefarious" activities. "In Kashmir, y are taking up cudgels against our forces and w y have an eye on Punjab. I have told m many times to desist from such things, Punjabis will t tolerate such things. You will t succeed in your nefarious designs eir in Kashmir or in Punjab.

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'Punjabis are brave'

"Punjabis are brave, we are t wearing bangles that you can do whatever and try to foment trouble," Punjab chief minister said. He was dressing a garing at Shikhaar Masiahan near here in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated Kartarpur corridor on Indian side. Singh said Pakistan should concentrate on development, building schools, improving ros and providing clean drinking water to its people.

He wondered aloud what Pakistan will gain by harbouring enmity. "I hope that y (Pakistan) understand that our country wants friendship with m. I have spoken to prime minister (Narendra Modi) many times and he too wishes that peace should prevail and two nations should come close," he said. chief minister called upon people to follow path shown by Guru Nanak Dev. On opening of Kartarpur corridor, Singh said he was blessed and privileged to witness historic day.

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'Khulle darshan deedar'

"'Khulle darshan deedar' (unhindered access) of Kartarpur Sahib has been a cherished dream of every Sikh and it has become a reality today. I am truly fortunate to have this chance to be a part of jatha and bow my he in land of my beloved guru," he said. "For last 70 years, every Sikh used to pray for 'khulle darshan'. In 1947, when India was partitioned, Punjab was divided into two parts and some of our religious shrines remained re (in Pakistan). "I have h opportunity to go to Gurdwara Nankana Sahib twice, but for first time, I will be visiting gurdwara at Kartarpur Sahib. I really wished that I could go re and today prime minister has fulfilled my wish. I am thankful to PM for this. Entire Punjab and Sikh community are happy," he said. Later, in a tweet, Singh dubbed Kartarpur corridor as a "historic" people-to-people initiative which offered a "glimmer of hope for two countries".

Punjab chief minister also touched upon stubble burning issue and called on people to protect environment. "Our water is getting scarce and experts say if we don't conserve it, Punjab will turn into a desert in ar 25 years. We have to ponder over this. If we think about this today, only n can we save our future and our coming generations," he said. Earlier, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Gobind Singh Longowal said opening of Kartarpur corridor was a long-pending demand of Sikh community and Centre h given it a gift.

Speaking on occasion, former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Bal said opening of corridor was a matter of great happiness. He said area should be developed as biggest centre of religious tourism. Bal credited Modi with fulfilling Sikh community's demand. "He (PM Modi) has a special bond with Punjab. Be it any issue of Punjab, religious, ecomic or political, he tries to find a solution," he said. 

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