26/11 prompts eminent citizens to launch 145;Bachao movement146;

The co-ordinator, Col HS Kahlon started the discussion by reminding the audience that the present fortnight 8212; December 3 to 16 8212; should be celebrated as Victory Fortnight as in 1971, India achieved historical decisive victory over Pakistan by capturing 93000 POWs Prisoners of War and creating Bangladesh. The function started by paying homage to the martyrs of 1971 Indo-Pak war and brave-hearts of Bombay incident.

Col Kahlon reminded the audience about the contribution of public during the fighting at the border. The villagers used to provide in the forward most trenches not only food and milk but the information across the border also.

Dr SS Johal, eminent economist and former vice-chancellor and chairman of Punjab Planning Board and Agricultural Commission at Centre, said that it was the prime duty of the government to provide safety to the common man. 8220;But unfortunately our police and paramilitary forces are not properly utilized. They are exhausted in providing un-necessary, unwanted security to a selected few, mainly politicians and their families, for imaginary threat perceptions.8221;

Harinder Singh Khalsa, former Member of Parliament and member of the Minority Commission, expressed his anguish over the way the Punjab government was misutilising the Rs 200 crore per year and six thousand policemen for the so-called security of politicians in the state, whereas there was no police to provide the much-needed protection to common man.

Col CS Dhillon, the president of Ex-Services League, Punjab and Chandigarh, and the veteran of second World War, said the government was not making use of the trained disciplined force which was available at half the cost to public exchequer for the security of the public. All speakers were critical of the mis-utilization of police by the politicians and thus depriving the common man of the security which is his fundamental right. To take this movement ahead, a steering committee was also formed on the occasion.

8220;The nation today needs vision and leadership on these matters of grave national importance. The country bemoans lack of effective institution. There is a dire need to update control and procedures in various security agencies to make them capable of meeting 21st century threats,8221; said General SS Jawanda. He said that head of the armed forces be designated as principal military advisor to the head of government.