-Mann at home is protected by CRPF, at secretariate CISF gives him security
NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing, Ravneet Singh Bittu, launched a sharp attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of unnecessarily politicizing the recent deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Nangal and Bhakra Dams.
Bittu said the deployment was a routine measure aimed at securing critical national infrastructure, and termed Mann’s objections as “irresponsible” and “politically motivated.” He urged the Chief Minister to behave in accordance with the dignity of his constitutional office.
“Bhagwant Mann needs to understand he is no longer a comedian but a Chief Minister of a sensitive border state, ” Bittu said in a statement. “Security of vital projects like Nangal and Bhakra Dams should not be turned into political theatre.”
The Union Minister clarified that the CISF deployment has no connection with water-sharing decisions, which remain under the jurisdiction of irrigation and power department officials and administrative authorities. “These deployments are solely for the protection of infrastructure and have no bearing on inter-state water distribution, ” he added.
Taking a swipe at the Chief Minister’s double standards, Bittu pointed out that central forces, including CRPF and CISF, are already deployed for Mann’s own security at multiple locations including his official residence in Chandigarh, the Kapurthala House in New Delhi, and at various state institutions like the Punjab Civil Secretariat and airports.
“Bhagwant Mann has no objection to CRPF protecting him wherever he goes, or CISF securing the state’s airports and secretariats. But when the same forces are deployed to protect national assets like dams, he suddenly cries foul, ” Bittu remarked.
Bittu further criticized Mann for trying to exploit the situation for political mileage, adding that such stunts were disconnected from the real concerns of Punjab’s people. “Security forces are not political tools. The Chief Minister must refrain from undermining their credibility, ” he asserted.
The deployment of CISF at Nangal Dam came after recent disturbances at the BBMB control room, allegedly triggered by a protest involving Punjab Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who reportedly locked the facility during a political demonstration.