Chandigarh: With Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann giving clear instructions not to harass any innocent person during the ongoing operation against those trying to disturb law and order in the state, Punjab Police might release as many as 177 arrested persons, who have minimum role or were just got attracted to Amritpal Singh on religious sentiments only.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Sukhchain Singh Gill, while addressing a Press conference here on Thursday, said that a total of 207 persons have been arrested for disturbing peace and harmony in the state, of which, 30 have been found in substantive criminal activities, while, remaining are under preventive arrest. He also assured that people involved in baptism and de-addiction will also not be bothered at all.
“Police teams are doing thorough screening of all the arrested persons and soon they will be released from police custody, ” he said.
The IGP said that this operation was carried out on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann with an aim to save the innocent youth of Punjab from playing into the hands of Anti-National Forces. “Punjab Police have clear instructions from the Chief Minister to not to harass any innocent person during the ongoing operation. Police teams have even not harassed the family members of Amritpal Singh, ” he said.
Divulging more details, IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill said that the Punjab Police in a joint operation with Haryana Police have arrested a woman identified as Baljeet Kaur for harbouring Amritpal Singh and his aide Pappalpreet Singh at her home in Kurukshetra, Haryana on March 19. Accused Baljit Kaur revealed that Pappalpreet was in touch with her from the last 2 and half years, he said.
He said that, during the ongoing operation, Khanna Police have also another Amritpal’s close associate identified as Tejinder Singh Gill alias Gorkha Baba (42) of village Mangewal in Khanna. Police teams have also recovered some incriminating material including holograms of Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF) and weapon training videos, from his possession. A case FIR no 23 dt 22.03.2023 has been registered under sections 188 and 336 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 27 of the Arms Act at Police Station Malaud in Khanna.
Meanwhile, keeping in view the internet shutdown in the state, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has decided to extend the last date for applying/filling forms for any Punjab based competitive exams so that students don't face inconvenience.