Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s first statement following the crackdown on Amritpal, says- strict action will be taken

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has given his first statement on the efforts to arrest Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh. CM Mann has said that those working against the country will not be spared and there will be no compromise with the peace of Punjab. Bhagwant Mann said that Amritpal was playing in the hands of foreign forces and at their behest he made anti-national statements. Let us tell you that earlier on Monday, while invoking NSA against 5 people associated with Amritpal Singh, the Punjab Police expressed suspicion of ‘ISI angle’ in the case.

Amid ongoing efforts to arrest Amritpal, Bhagwant Mann speaking for the first time said that any force working against the country will not be spared. He said, ‘Strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to disturb peace, harmony in Punjab. Peace and harmony of Punjab and progress of the country is our priority. We will not spare any force working against the country. Amritpal was playing into the hands of anti-national forces and at their behest he made anti-national statements.

Amritpal’s uncle Harjeet Singh and driver Harpreet Singh surrendered before the police on Sunday night amid ongoing state-wide crackdown against his organization ‘Waris Punjab De’. According to officials, Harjit Singh, who handles the accounts of ‘Waris Punjab De’, is among the five people against whom NSA has been invoked. The NSA allows the preventive detention of any person who poses a threat to national security or public order.

Punjab Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill said special units were trying to nab Amritpal.

Amritpal Singh, chief of ‘Waris Punjab De’, escaped after dodging the police during a car chase in Jalandhar district on Saturday. Gill indicated that he too could be detained under the NSA. He said, ‘NSA can be imposed against him after his arrest and the rest of the facts will be made clear to you.’ The IG said that the police suspect an ‘ISI angle’ and foreign funding in the matter and further investigation is underway.