Chandigarh (National Times): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday sharply criticized Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, accusing him of spreading panic by claiming that 50 bombs had been smuggled into Punjab, a statement CM Mann dismissed as baseless and politically motivated.
In an official statement, the Chief Minister alleged that Bajwa’s longstanding family ties with individuals in Pakistan were behind the sensational claim. He asserted that no intelligence agency, either state or central, had received any such inputs about explosives being brought into the state.
“Perhaps Bajwa’s friends across the border informed him of such a plan,” Mann said. “But to share such unverified and alarming information is not just irresponsible, it is dangerous.”
CM Mann condemned Bajwa’s claim that 50 bombs had entered Punjab, 18 of which had already exploded while 32 remained. The Chief Minister emphasized that no evidence supports such assertions, warning that making false statements about public safety can create widespread fear and unrest.
He further demanded that Bajwa either reveal the source of his information or be prepared to face legal consequences. “It is a leader’s moral responsibility to cooperate with the authorities if they have credible information. Otherwise, is Bajwa simply waiting for something tragic to happen so he can exploit it politically?” Mann questioned.
Calling Bajwa’s remarks “unwarranted and unacceptable,” Punjab CM urged the Congress high command to take disciplinary action against leaders who, in his words, are allegedly in contact with “fissiparous forces.” The Chief Minister concluded that inciting fear among the public through false claims is a “heinous crime” and warned that such behavior will not go unpunished.
