Breaking his silence over the state-wide crackdown against the Waris Punjab De, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that the state was in safe hands and “those trying to spread hate have all been arrested”.
 
In his video message in Hindi on the social media, Mann — without naming Amritpal — said: “Some elements were trying to vitiate the environment on the behest of some foreign powers in last few days. They were trying to vitiate the environment in the state. They were giving hate speech, speaking against the law of the land. Un par karwayi ki gai hai. Woh sab log pakde gayein hain. Unko sakht se sakht saza di jayegi (Action has been taken against them. All of them have been arrested and will be given the harshest punishment). AAP government would not allow any such forces to raise their head in the State,” he said.
 
Severest of severe action is being taken against those conspiring to disturb peace, amity, communal harmony, and brotherhood in the state, he said.
 
“No one will be allowed to cast a malicious eye on the peace, progress, and prosperity of the state and stern action will be taken against them. Some anti-national elements had hobnobbed with the foreign forces to put the State on boil by disturbing its hard-earned peace,” he added.
 
The Chief Minister also said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government would ensure the State progresses under its rule and that the security and safety of people was its responsibility. He said that the Government would ensure children get an education and the elderly are provided with good healthcare.
 
Mann said that Punjab has always led the nation whenever the country needed it for any task, be it the Green Revolution or the freedom struggle. Punjabis are known for their large heart and a will to help others, but if anyone has ever tried to disturb peace, harmony and brotherhood, they have retorted.
 
“It is easy to provoke sons of others for help for illegal actions. I have got many calls from parents who were scared that their children too may join them. But I will reiterate that our priority is education, laptops, and computers and not illegal arms,” he said.
 
He said: “I am thankful to the people of the state for their support to the government. There was not a single incident of violence reported. That shows how people want peace. I want to make it clear to 130 crore people of the nation that we are a secular party. We do not do politics based on hate. For the nation, we will take strong action. If anybody is dreaming of spoiling the peace of the state, we will not allow that to happen”.
 
“Every single drop of my blood is for Punjab, my heart beats for Punjab. Ours was the number one state and it will be the number one state. We are at the forefront of the country. Hundreds of our soldiers are protecting our frontiers. If anybody would try to harm our peace and harmony,” he would not be spared.
 
People from Punjab, Abroad Supported Action: IGP
Hours after Chief Minister thanked the people of state for supporting the action of the State Government by maintaining law and order in Punjab, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Headquarters, Sukhchain Singh Gill reaffirmed that the situation in the state is totally stable and under control.
 
“CM Bhagwant Mann has received many calls from Punjab and the entire country thanking him for saving the youth of Punjab,” said IGP Gill, adding that a total of 154 persons have been arrested for disturbing peace and harmony in the state.
 
SAD Forms Panel to Provide Legal Assistance to Sikh Youth Arrested in Ongoing Crackdown
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday announced that the party would provide legal assistance to all Sikh youth arrested in the ongoing extra-constitutional crackdown in Punjab and ensure their rights were not trampled upon by the AAP Government.
 
“It is shocking that scores of youth are being arrested indiscriminately merely on suspicion. A state level committee has been formed under SAD Legal Cell president Arshdeep Singh Kler which would coordinate with party leaders in the districts and provide prompt legal aid where desired,” said Sukhbir while asking the party leaders to bring repression let loose on Sikh youth to the notice of the party as well as the State Committee to ensure justice for them.