Indian Discussion Forum

Ludhiana, Jan 26 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Centre to strengthen the national security to foil ill conceived plans of inimical forces from across the border.

Addressing a gathering after unfurling the national flag on Republic Day at a function here, Badal asked the Centre to be tough against such forces to safeguard the national unity.

Lauding the contribution of Punjab in the freedom struggle, he claimed that 80 per cent of the country's great heroes and martyrs belonged to the border state, mentioning names of Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, Udham Singh among others.

The Chief Minister lamented that even six decades after independence we had not been able to realise the goals set in the constitution.