Maintaining that those who used ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ as a shield to enter a police station could never be “waaris of Punjab”, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday claimed that some people “who are being funded from across the border are trying to destabilize peace and progress in the state”.
Amidst the ongoing turmoil in Punjab surrounding the recent activities of Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh and his supporters, Mann claimed that the Punjab Police were capable of handling the issue and only a handful of persons were supporting the pro-Khalistan movement in Punjab.
“Do you think 1,000 people (who have been seen shouting pro-Khalistan slogans) represent the entire Punjab? You come to Punjab and see for yourself who all are shouting such slogans,” Mann said when asked what he had to say about pro-Khalistan slogans being raised in his state after Singh’s episode.
“Only a handful of persons are behind this and they run their shops through funding from Pakistan and other foreign countries,” Mann said.
“Though Rajasthan shares a much larger border with Pakistan, why do drones (sent from Pakistan) land in Punjab and not in Rajasthan? Because their (Khalistani element’s) masters are sitting there (in Pakistan) and they want to disturb Punjab. But we will not let them succeed,” the CM said.
Mann also termed the incident as a minor one and downplayed Singh’s alleged threat of more violence in coming days. “This is khayali pulao (daydreaming). Punjab has seen such black days in the past. The Punjab Police are capable of handling them and we will never allow anyone to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere,” he said.
“Such people are acting as puppets in the hand of Pakistan to ruin the state. However, the brave Police of Punjab is capable to safeguard the interests of the state and its people,” said Mann, while vowing that the State Government would maintain law and order in the State and no one will be allowed to disturb its hard-earned peace.
The Chief Minister, interacting with the media during his Gujarat tour after attending a mass wedding function at Bhavnagar, said that the state and its people have suffered a lot due to black days in the past due to which they want peace and progress. “No one will be allowed to disturb the hard earned peace of state. Though some fissiparous forces are continuously trying to derail the peace and progress of state, their nefarious designs will not be allowed to succeed,” he added.
Making a scathing attack, the Chief Minister said that those who have shamefully took shield of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to enter in Police station can’t be waaris of Punjab. “This is an unpardonable crime which must be condemned by one and all. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is source of inspiration for all of us and we must take inspiration from it rather than taking its cover for protection from unlawful activities,” he added.
The Chief Minister unequivocally said that anything, except hatred and divisiveness, can grow on the fertile land of state. The law and order in State was perfect due to which companies from across the globe are making beeline to invest in state, said Mann; adding that due to strenuous efforts of the state government, Punjab will shine in every sphere during the coming six months.
Mann further said thanks to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, many industries were coming, including Tata Steel and entities from other countries. “Had Punjab’s situation been so bad, these industries may not have been coming to Punjab today. Even NRIs are coming back and those who planned to settle abroad have now cancelled their plans. Punjab will shine again after six-seven months,” said the CM.
The Chief Minister said: “Punjab will soon become a drug-free zone because we are giving jobs to the youth. Moreover, industry will also create more employment opportunities. Once the youth get work, they will not seek refuge in those bad habits.”
“Raj Bhawans Turned into BJP Headquarters”
Taking the Union Government to cudgels, the Chief Minister said that the Governors appointed by the Centre are acting as star campaigners of the saffron party in the respective states. “It is unfortunate the Raj Bhawans have turned into BJP headquarters for dictating the elected governments. However, in democracy, elected and not the selected persons appointed from Union government, are supreme,” he added.
“Earlier the traditional parties used to ask votes in the divisive agenda. However, a paradigm shift has been witnessed in the political system since entry of AAP, which has forced the traditional parties to reset their agenda. For the first time, agenda has been based on quality education and health services due to AAP’s efforts,” he added.
“AAP Not Afraid of CBI, ED”
The Chief Minister categorically said that the AAP was party of warriors who can do anything for the people’s well-being. “We are not afraid of misuse of CBI and ED by the Union Government and will continue to serve the people without any fear. The misuse of central agencies to muzzle the voice of democracy will not be successful on AAP and its leaders,” he said.
He also criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre over the questioning of Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Delhi excise police case.
Centre Must Intervene: Capt
Punjab’s former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday said that if the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government cannot handle law and order, the Centre should intervene to deal with the situation.
“He (CM Bhagwant Mann) is not interested on what is going on in Punjab. He is afraid of taking any step. Police officials may have got orders not to take any step during the Ajnala incident. The law and order has deteriorated in Punjab,” he said.
“No government can run like this, the way this government is running. The day when Ajnala incident took place, Bhagwant Mann was sitting in Mumbai with Arvind Kejriwal,” he added.
Notably, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday called on former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray at his Mumbai residence.
Also raising concerns about the country's internal security, Capt Amarinder said: “The law and order situation in Punjab is horrible. The law and order is not the Centre's subject. If they (Punjab government) are not able to handle it, the Central Government will have to take charge. There are drones getting caught every single day, I think the Centre must see it.”
MHA Seeks Detailed Report, Shah and Mann Meeting
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a detailed report about Ajnala incident from the Punjab police, and the Intelligence Bureau.
Days after Punjab witnessed unprecedented scenes of violent protestors attacking the police personnel leaving six injured, the Centre has been in touch with the security agencies, especially about the nefarious activities of Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh.
It has been learnt that the Intelligence Bureau has prepared a report on the recent developments in Punjab and has shared it with the officials working at the Union Home Ministry, headed by Amit Shah.
Mann was also scheduled to meet Shah in New Delhi on Sunday to discuss the recent incident.
Punjab Cong MP Receives Threat Call, Asked To Stop Speaking Against Amritpal
Congress MP from Ludhiana MP and former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh's grandson Ravneet Singh Bittu on Sunday claimed to have received a call threatening him of dire consequences if he did not stop speaking against Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh.
Bittu, a three-time MP, is the grandson of Beant Singh who was assassinated by a human bomb in 1995.
Ludhiana MP, who is currently in Chhattisgarh attending the 85th plenary session of the Congress, said that he received a “threat call of an unknown caller from an international number”.
“The caller said that I should stop speaking against Amritpal Singh or else face dire consequences,” Bittu said.
In-charge Ghumar Mandi police post, Ludhiana, Sub-Inspector Satnam Singh Bhullar said that he had received a complaint regarding the threat call received by Bittu and further investigations were on.
