Punjab Police give three days to remove social media posts promoting gun culture

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav gave the 72-hour window a day after police were criticised for action in Amritsar in which they booked four people, including a 10-year-old boy and his father, for glorifying guns

Punjab Police chief Gaurav Yadav on Saturday gave three days to people of the state to remove any social media post glorifying guns or else face FIRs after that.

Punjab director general of police Gaurav Yadav on Saturday directed that no FIRs for glorifying weapons will be registered for the next three days in the state to allow people to remove such content on their own from their social media accounts. (HT file photo)

The window of 72 hours has been given after the police was criticised for their action in Amritsar in which they booked four people, including a 10-year-old boy and his father, for promoting gun culture.

The FIR was cancelled after it was pointed out that the firearm in question was a toy gun. The case was registered at the Kathunangal police station on Wednesday.

“The chief minister of Punjab has directed that no FIRs for glorifying weapons will be registered for the next three days in Punjab to allow people to remove such content on their own,” the DGP said.

The decision to crack down on gun culture in Punjab was taken last week to ensure law and order in the border state after the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government came under opposition fire amid back-to-back targeted killings of Shiv Sena (Taksali) leader Sudhir Suri and Dera Sacha Sauda follower Pardeep Singh in Kotkapura town of Faridkot district. Pardeep Singh was an accused in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege cases, too.

The home department is also reviewing gun licences and a large number have been terminated across the state under this drive.

Display of weapons in public gatherings, at religious places and wedding ceremonies are also prohibited.