Questioning of Katarpur pilgrims: Punjab CM backs police

A day after opposition targeted Congress-led government over issue of questioning of some Kartarpur Sahib pilgrims, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh backed Punjab Police's action and said it acted on request of Intelligence Bureau in interest of national security.

"Had Gurdaspur police failed to act, I would have taken strict action against m," Singh informed House in ongoing budget session.

y took action in interest of national security, he said. Punjab Assembly on Thursday had witnessed uproarious scenes over questioning of a few devotees upon ir return from Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan by Punjab Police, with opposition targeting government for allegedly "harassing" pilgrims.

chief minister said police acted within permissible limits of functioning in matter. He was responding to a question over issue by AAP legislator Kultar Singh Sandhwan. Singh said his government will cooperate with central ncies in larger interest of national security as and when required.

If police force fail to act in accordance with established security mechanism in coordination with central ncies, action would be taken against m, he said. chief minister pointed out that over 51,000 pilgrims had already paid obeisance after opening of Kartarpur corridor and this was first such instance of devotees being questioned.

IB had in this case raised some doubts and asked state police for assistance in ensuring credentials of some of pilgrims for security reasons, he added. In view of its sensitive border location, state was duty bound to work closely with central ncies to ensure country's security, he furr said. On Thursday, jails minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had informed House that pilgrims were questioned after directions came from central ncy, Intelligence Bureau, in Amritsar.