Will act sternly against those disturbing peace: CM Mann

Asserting that the state is in safe hands, chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said stern action was taken against those who were conspiring to disturb peace and communal harmony in Punjab at the instance of foreign forces.

Asserting that the state is in safe hands, chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said stern action was taken against those who were conspiring to disturb peace and communal harmony in Punjab at the instance of foreign forces.

Mann said peace, progress and prosperity of Punjab were the top priority of his government and no one would be allowed to cast a malicious eye. (PTI Photo)

Mann said peace, progress and prosperity of Punjab were the top priority of his government and no one would be allowed to cast a malicious eye. “The anti-national elements who hobnobbed with foreign forces to disturb its hard-earned peace have been put behind the bars,” he said in a video message. The chief minister’s reaction is his on the crackdown on Waris Punjab De head and separatist leader Amritpal Singh. The all-out police action against Amritpal and members of Waris Punjab De, who stormed a police station in Ajnala last month to demand release of one on his associates, commenced on Saturday, leading to the arrest of 154 persons so far. Amritpal, however, managed to dodge the police and fled. The state government has slapped the National Security Act on him.

Without directly naming Amritpal, Mann said that in the last few days, some elements were giving hate speeches to create disturbance in Punjab and they were arrested. “It is well known that Punjabis have always given a befitting reply to anyone who ever tried to disturb the basic social fabric of the state,” the CM said, stating that his government cannot be a mute spectator to all such anti-national activities.

Mann also thanked 3 crore Punjabis for their cooperation in the operation. “There was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere in the state. It has boosted my confidence that people want peace and progress,” he said. He said it was easy to tell children of others to do illegal work and seek their support. The CM further said that he received several calls from people, especially parents, praising the government for the crackdown. “They are telling me that you have done a good job. There should be peace and harmony in Punjab. In this matter, we support you,” he added.

He said that under the leadership of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP was a “100% secular party”. He also reiterated the firm commitment of his government to restore pristine glory of the state.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the Punjab government was not afraid of taking stringent measures to curb criminal activities in the state.

His comments came after Punjab Police launched a major crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh and members of his outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’.

“When we came to power in Punjab, people said they (AAP) can work in the fields of education, health and power, but handling law and order situation will be tough,” Kejriwal said.