Police-Khalistan supporters clash: Why Centre not intervening in Punjab? ‘Law & order a state subject’, says ex-CM

Captain Amarinder Singh, however, also said if the Bhagwant Mann government cannot maintain peace, then the Government of India ‘will have to step in.’

Published on: Feb 26, 2023, 13:30:41 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

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Former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday pointed to ‘law and order being a state subject,’ when questioned over why the Centre is yet to intervene in Punjab, where a recent clash between police and Khalistan supporters has added to concerns over a possible revival in the state of the movement for Khalistan, an independent country for Sikhs.

Supporters of Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh clashing with Punjab Police personnel on Thursday afternoon as they headed for the police station in Ajnala to protest the arrest of his aide in a kidnap and assault case, Amritsar. (Sameer Sehgal /HT photo)

Also Read | 'Have Indian passport, but...': Amritpal says Khalistan discussion 'normal'

“What is the state doing? Law and order comes under (chief minister) Bhagwant Mann…what is he doing? Law and order is not a central subject…it's a state subject,” said Singh, who has repeatedly warned that under the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the movement may get revived in the border state.

The AAP has frequently faced allegations of being pro-Khalistan, a charge it has always denied.

Also Read | After clash with Punjab Police, Amritpal’s Instagram account suspended again

Meanwhile, Singh, who was speaking to news agency ANI, also slammed CM Mann for failing to maintain law and order in Punjab.

Also Read | Amritpal aide walks free as Punjab Police buckle

“Despite this (law and order being state subject), I'm saying that if they (Punjab government) cannot maintain peace, then the Government of India will have to step in. More and more drones are being sent (from Pakistan)…one was shot down today itself,” said the former Armyman, who left the Congress in 2021 and joined BJP last year.

Also Read | Ajnala violence: Law and order in Punjab under control, says minister

Under Article 356 of the Constitution of India, the Union government can dismiss a state government, if the former deems the latter to be unable to function as per Constitutional provisions. Earlier this month, prime minister Narendra Modi, during a speech in Rajya Sabha, had criticised former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi for ‘repeatedly misusing Article 356 to topple state governments’ during their respective premierships.

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