Punjab CM asks opposition not to trigger panic

Chandigarh, May 1 (IANS) Asserting that this was not the time to indulge in petty politics, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday appealed to the opposition parties not to trigger panic among people by spreading misinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

In a televised address to the people, the Chief Minister said there were no mismanagement of the crisis or widespread infections in the state, as was being projected by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Most of the cases now were those that were coming from other states, he said, disclosing that of the new cases reported, only seven related to local infection while 93 were Punjabis who had come from outside the state.

The Chief Minister called upon the people not to be worried about the sudden spike in numbers that could be expected over the next few days as more people return to their homes from other states with the government of India’s decision to allow the movement of stranded people.

Urging the opposition to join hands, and work shoulder to shoulder with his government, in the interest of Punjab and its people, the Chief Minister said: “It is time not to score brownie points but to show unity.”

Citing the example of the appointment of Labour leader Clement Attlee as Deputy Prime Minister by then Conservative UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill, when faced with World War II against Germany, Amarinder Singh said wars could only be fought and won unitedly.

Pointing out that Punjab is going through a difficult time, Amarinder Singh underlined the need for all to work together to save the state and its people.

“It is a war of Punjab and for its people,” he said.

In an apparent reference to the opposition’s criticism of his government’s handling of the Covid situation, the Chief Minister said nobody wants to hear negative things at this critical time.

People are already going through very negative times, and want to hear positive things and good news, he added.

Warning of possible escalation in the number of Covid cases as more and more stranded Punjabis return from other states, in the wake of easing of norms by the Centre, the Chief Minister appealed to the people not to be afraid of quarantine, which was just a means to ensure that the returnees do not spread the infection among their families, neighbours or others.

Quarantine is nothing but a way to keep those coming back to Punjab in isolation while they are tested and given a clean chit by the doctors, said Amarinder Singh, making it clear that every person returning to the state would be kept in institutional quarantine as a preventive measure.

Amid reports of certain people sneaking through the borders to get back home, the Chief Minister appealed to all not to resort to such dangerous measures but to come in through proper channels, with due screening, testing and quarantining.

This, he said, was imperative to keep the situation in Punjab under control, as had been done so far, largely on account of the decision to go for curfew early.

“Nobody will be allowed to go to their home without the mandatory quarantine and doctor’s clearance,” he said.

–IANS

vg/kr