Submit to process of law: Punjab DGP as radical preacher Amritpal continues to be on run
As radical preacher Amritpal Singh continues to be on the run, Punjab Police chief Gaurav Yadav on Monday said those wanted by the law should submit to the process of law and that designs of mischievous elements, who have the support of Pakistan’s ISI, will not be allowed to succeed. The top cop also reviewed the security arrangements in Amritsar and at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda ahead of Baisakhi festival. Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, he said police will nab whosoever is wanted by the law and it is better that such people submit to the law.
Yadav’s remarks come on the day the state police nabbed Amritpal’s close aide Papalpreet Singh. Amid reports that Amritpal might have taken shelter at a religious place, the Director General of Police said religious places should not be used for personal reasons. ”Religious places should not be misused,” he noted.
He further said the hard-earned peace in the state will not be allowed to be disturbed.
”Mischievous elements, who have the support of foreign forces and Pakistan’s ISI, trying to disturb peace in Punjab will not be allowed to succeed,” Yadav said, adding that the ”situation in Punjab is quite normal”.
”I want to tell our Punjabi brothers living in the US and Canada that there is absolute peace in Punjab. There is a rule of law. You can come and see for yourselves. You speak to your relatives here. If you have any wrong perceptions about Punjab, then they should clear it,” he said.
Apparently referring to the Khalistan sympathiser who has been hoodwinking the police since March 18 when a crackdown was launched against him and his aides, Yadav said, ”Whosoever is needed by the law, should submit to the process of law, and everybody has a legal right and there is a legal process.” The police chief also appealed to people not to fall prey to rumours. ”We will maintain peace in Punjab. We will deal with mischievous elements sternly,” he said.
Asked to comment on reports that Amritpal may surrender, the DGP said, ”Whoever is wanted by the law, we will catch them. It is better that such people submit to the law.” Amritpal escaped the police net in Jalandhar district on March 18, switching vehicles and changing appearances. He and his associates have been booked under several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants. Later, in a tweet, the DGP said he reviewed the security arrangements for the Baisakhi festival. ”Today, I paid obeisance at Shri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar and prayed for peace and harmony in the state. Reviewed security arrangements for the upcoming Baisakhi celebrations. The Punjab Police will keep the state safe and secure,” he said. The DGP also visited Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda to review the security arrangements.
“I visited Talwandi Sabo to review security arrangements and also held a meeting with officers. I assure that there will be foolproof security arrangements on the occasion of Baisakhi,” he told reporters in Bathinda. Later in a tweet, Yadav said, “Gearing up for #Baisakhi Celebrations: Reviewed security arrangements in Talwandi Sabo and checked the law and order situation. @PunjabPoliceInd is working round the clock to ensure peace and harmony in the region. Keeping #Punjabis safe is our number 1 priority.” Baisakhi, one of Punjab’s biggest festivals in north India, marks the foundation day of the ‘Khalsa Panth’ (Sikh order) by the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. It also marks the onset of harvest season. On the day of the festival, people across Punjab offer prayers at gurdwaras.
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