Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has strongly criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his opposition to the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at key installations in Punjab. He further accused the Chief Minister of politicising security matters for personal gain.
In a video statement, Bittu stressed that the CISF’s role is to protect critical infrastructure such as dams, airports, the Chief Minister’s residence and office, and Kapurthala House, and not with addressing water disputes.
He underscored the importance of CISF deployment amid heightened security concerns, especially during “war times,” warning that any security lapse at crucial sites like dams could have devastating consequences for lakhs of people. “CISF is for security, not for water issues. For water disputes, you have your irrigation and power departments with a huge army of officers,” Bittu said, urging Mann to focus on governance rather than “wasting money” on what he called unnecessary objections to CISF operations.
The Union Minister accused Mann of indulging in “dramatics” and ignoring the serious risks posed by compromising security at vital installations. Bittu’s comments come amid escalating tensions between the Punjab government and the Centre over various issues, including the ongoing water-sharing conflict with Haryana.
His remarks have further intensified the political debate, with calls for Punjab’s leadership to focus on public safety rather than political posturing.
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