Won't Compromise With Peace In Punjab: CM Mann Amid Manhunt To Nab Radical Preacher Amritpal

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said that his government will not compromise with peace in the state amid ongoing operation to catch absconding Khalistan supporter, Amritpal Singh.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said that his government will not compromise with peace in the state and that he does the politics of development, and not religion. This is his first reaction since the Punjab police launched a massive crackdown to nab absconding separatist leader and Khalistan supporter, Amritpal Singh.

According to ANI, the CM said, "In the last few days, some elements were talking to spoil the environment of Punjab with the help of foreign powers and were giving hateful speeches. Action has been taken against them and they have been arrested and strict punishment will be given to them."

#WATCH | ...Action has been taken against them and they have been arrested, strict punishment will be given to them...Those who will try to disturb Punjab's peace will be severely dealt with: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on action taken against Amritpal Singh & his associates pic.twitter.com/cP1fCBchUu

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2023

This comes as the hunt to nab pro-Khalistan "Waris Punjab De" chief Amritpal Singh entered the fourth day on Tuesday. While the radical leader's uncle Harjit Singh was bought to Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam this morning, Amritpal is still on the run.

Sukhchain Singh Gill, Punjab Inspector General of Police (Headquarters), said that a total of 114 people have been arrested so far as a result of the crackdown on members of the Waris Punjab De organisation.

He further said that the police have a very strong suspicion of an ISI angle and foreign funding in Waris Punjab De.

The Punjab Police claimed on Monday that it has used the harsh National Security Act (NSA) against five persons, including Amritpal's uncle Harjit Singh, connected to extremist preacher's 'Waris Punjab De', which allows the police to detain suspects in any prison across the country.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court will today hear centre's response to a plea seeking the "release" of Amritpal Singh. The habeas corpus plea was from Iman Singh Khara, legal adviser, Waris Punjab De, who in his plea claimed that Amritpal was in illegal custody of the police. 

The Punjab government extended the suspension on all mobile internet and SMS services in Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Moga, Sangrur, and Amritsar's Ajnala sub-division and a few areas in Mohali till Thursday noon. The services will be resumed in other districts of Punjab from today afternoon.

The mobile internet services in all the remaining areas of the state will start functioning normally from today noon.

Khalistan supporters attacked and damaged the Indian consulate in San Francisco on Sunday, similar to the London incident in which some Khalistani supporters pulled down the national flag from the Indian High Commission building.

Satinder Singh, the Superintendent Of Police, Rural Amritsar, said that a fresh FIR under Arms Act was registered against Amritpal Singh and seven others. Amritpal is the main accused in the FIR. Six 12-bore weapons have been recovered from them and all weapons are illegal, he added.

Amritpal Singh’s father Tarsem Singh on Sunday claimed that the 'Waris Punjab De' chief has already been arrested by the Punjab Police and that the police were "lying" that he was absconding. "We are sure that he has been arrested. We want the police to present him before the court to be able to take legal recourse," Amritpal's father alleged in an interview with ABP Sanjha.