By IANS,
Chandigarh : Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal Tuesday opposed the move for a specialised federal police agency in the country and suggested that the central government instead should help in modernisation of state police forces.
Claiming the move for a federal police agency could dilute the control of states over law and order, which comes under the states’ authority, Badal said he would oppose it.
“Terrorism can be controlled better with greater centre-state coordination. Why is a federal agency required?” he asked.
However, Badal said he would take a final decision on this matter only after consulting leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), of which the ruling Akali Dal in Punjab is a partner.
The NDA has been supporting a federal police agency idea to tackle terrorism.
In the Mumbai terror attack last week, 183 people lost their lives while 239 others were left injured.
The Punjab government announced Tuesday after a meeting of the state cabinet that it was reviving 2,000 posts of police constables in the state to maintain law and order.
A state government spokesman said this would also include 500 women constables, who would be directly recruited.
While 1,000 posts would be filled from existing special police officers (SPOs) under the Punjab police, 500 remaining posts would be filled through direct recruitment, the spokesman added.
Punjab faced terrorism during 1981-1995 with certain elements demanding a separate Sikh homeland called ‘Khalistan’.