Captain waters down SYL brew

Interestingly, the Act was customised to skirt the Supreme Court judgment under which Punjab was directed to hand over the construction work of the SYL canal to a Central agency. Amarinder has so far maintained there was no question of going back on the Act, a stance which has won him popularity in Punjab but has reportedly angered even PM Manmohan Singh.

Amarinder refuted statements attributed to him that terrorism will return to Punjab if the SC struck down the Act. He said: 8216;8216;Water was an emotive issue in Punjab and any decision had to be taken keeping in view the events that have happened in Punjab since 1973.8217;8217;

The alleged remark also attracted criticism from Haryana CM O.P. Chautala today, who said it proved Amarinder8217;s intentions to create a buffer state. 8216;8216;His words are a challenge to the Supreme Court and tantamount to its contempt.8221;