Chandigarh, May 11 -- Asserting that Punjab was the sword arm of India, chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said the Centre should give a special package to the border state.

Mann put forth his views during an all-party meeting convened by Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator Gulab Chand Kataria.

Interacting with media later, along with the governor, the chief minister said whether it was war or any other exigency, Punjab and Punjabis were always at the forefront.

"Punjab always faces the first brunt during every war and escalations," said Mann, adding the state needed special treatment for its enormous contribution.

He said Punjab, besides being the food bowl of the country, had always been its sword arm, but its contrib...