India, Jan. 27 -- Reaffirming his government's resolve to protect Punjab's interests, chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday hit out at the Union government for its "step-motherly" treatment and alleged that conspiracies were being hatched to snatch the state's rightful claims.

Addressing a function on the 77th Republic Day, Mann said Punjab continues to face "injustice and discrimination" despite its unmatched sacrifices in the freedom struggle. He lamented that the state had been "unjustly denied" its rights, including its claim over Chandigarh as its capital, river waters, and Panjab University.

"Despite the greatest sacrifices, Punjab is being forced to wage legal, legislative, and administrative battles to secure its rights. ...