Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav on Monday said that the designs of Pakistan's ISI will not be allowed to succeed in Punjab. He also said that the people of the state want development and peace and the police will catch the wanted. This comes a day after security was beefed up in Bathinda ahead of Baisakhi celebrations in Punjab following an unverified video of Khalistani preacher and 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh urging followers to spread the word for the big congregation on Baisakhi to discuss issues before the Sikh community. Additional Director General of Police, Surinder Pal Singh Parmar, said the security arrangement is a positive message that the situation is normal in Punjab.
Gaurav Yadav, who visited Sri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar to pay obeisance, said, "The mischievous elements who have the support of foreign forces and Pakistan's ISI will not be allowed to spoil the atmosphere of Punjab. I want to tell the Punjabis sitting abroad that law and order are maintained in Punjab and there is peace in Punjab."
He further said, "If there is any misconception about Punjab, then clear it by asking your friends and relatives living in Punjab. Punjab Police is accountable to the law. Those who the law is seeking should submit to it on their own. We will catch those who are wanted."
Earlier, on April 2, amid speculations that Amritpal was likely to surrender at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Parminder Singh Bhandal said that if the Khalistan leader wants to surrender, they will help him do so in accordance with the law.
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The fugitive Khalistan leader purportedly appeared in a video saying he was not "a fugitive" and will soon "appear in front of the world". Amritpal said those who think that he ran away or left his friends should "get that thing" out of their minds. The KhaIistan leader, who was declared a fugitive by Punjab Police, said no one should have any apprehension that he ran away from his people. The crackdown came almost over three weeks after Amritpal's supporters stormed Ajnala police station in Amritsar on February 23 demanding the release of one of his close aides, Lovepreet Toofan.