Punjab News

Chandigarh: On Wednesday, officials revealed that 38-year-old Papalpreet Singh was the brains behind pro-Khalistan fugitive Amritpal Singh's escape from the police dragnet. Papalpreet Singh was in constant contact with Pakistan's ISI and was following orders from it.
They said that Papalpreet Singh is one of Amritpal Singh's mentors and that he has been giving him advice on different issues. Since Amritpal's return to India last year, the two had been working closely together at the nonprofit organisation 'Waris Punjab De,' which was formed by the late actor Deep Sidhu before his tragic death in a road accident in 2021.
Amritpal was observed riding shotgun with Papalpreet on a motorcycle. The two-wheeler was found abandoned at Phillaur in Jalandhar.—Inputs from Agencies

On Wednesday, officials revealed that 38-year-old Papalpreet Singh was the brains behind pro-Khalistan fugitive Amritpal Singh's escape from the police dragnet. Papalpreet Singh was in constant contact with Pakistan's ISI and was following orders from it

Amritpal's mentor Papalpreet helped him escape police dragnet

Punjab

Chandigarh: Absconding self-styled radical Sikh preacher and head of 'Waris Punjab De' Amritpal Singh's uncle Harjit Singh and one more person have been arrested in Punjab's Shahkot area, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Swapan Sharma said on Monday.

The Punjab Police continued its crackdown on "fugitive" Amritpal Singh on the third day on Monday.

The police have seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition from Amritpal's aides. A fresh FIR was registered against him and his associates in an illegal weapons case.

The police made preventive arrests of persons attempting to disturb peace and law and order in the state.

Daljeet Singh Kalsi, who handled the Khalistani ideologue's finance, was arrested from Gurugram.

Seven of Amritpal's associates, who were arrested for taking siege of a police station in Amritsar's Ajnala area last month, have been sent to police custody till March 23 by a court in Beas.

Four aides of the absconding radical leader were taken to Dibrugarh in Assam for security reasons.

An official spokesperson for the Punjab Police said Amritpal Singh remains a fugitive and efforts are on to arrest him.

Flag marches have been conducted by district police and paramilitary forces led by Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) all over the state, he said, adding that peace committee meetings have also been held in all the districts and there is complete peace and harmony in the state at present.

During the ongoing operations against the 'Waris Punjab De' elements and persons attempting to disturb peace and harmony in the state, another 34 arrests were made from across Punjab on Sunday, taking the total number of people arrested in this connection since Saturday to 112.

The spokesperson said that during the ongoing search operations, an abandoned ISUZU vehicle has been recovered from Salina village in Jalandhar district.

The vehicle was used by Amritpal while the police were chasing him on Saturday. A .315 bore rifle along with 57 cartridges, a sword and a wireless set have been recovered from the abandoned vehicle, he said, adding that the vehicle is owned by Manpreet Singh from Anokharwal village in SBS Nagar, who has been arrested.

The spokesperson added that strict action as per the law will be taken if anyone is found spreading fake news, rumours or hate speech.

All citizens, mediapersons and social media platform intermediaries are requested to act in a responsible manner and to fact-check the authenticity of the content being shared by them on various social media, electronic media and print media platforms, he added.

All mischievous elements attempting to disrupt peace and harmony in the state shall be dealt with strictly, the spokesperson added.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Sunday issued notice to the Punjab government on a habeas corpus petition seeking issuance of directions to the Jalandhar Commissioner of Police and other officials to present alleged "detainee" Amritpal Singh "in the interest of justice".

Justice N.S. Shekhawat fixed the case for further hearing on Tuesday.

Petitioner Imaan Singh Khara alleged that 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh had been illegally and forcibly detained by the police commissioner and other officials without any authority of law.

Directions were also sought for the appointment of a warrant officer to visit the "spot".

Absconding self-styled radical Sikh preacher and head of 'Waris Punjab De' Amritpal Singh's uncle Harjit Singh

Fugitive Amritpal Singh's uncle arrested in Punjab

Chandigarh: Sunday, in response to a high alert in the state, police in Punjab stepped up their search for radical preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh. At the same time, security forces marched under a sea of flags in a number of locations, and authorities cut mobile internet and SMS services until Monday at noon.
Daljit Singh Kalsi, who is accused of being Amritpal's financial advisor and provider, was detained along with three others on Saturday and brought to Assam from Punjab via "special flight," where they are currently being held at the Dibrugarh Central Prison.
Senior officers with the Punjab police force have said that the law and order situation is under control, and that anyone spreading rumours will face severe consequences. The force has also claimed that it is keeping an eye on fake news and hate speeches emanating from other countries, states, and cities.—Inputs from Agencies

Sunday, in response to a high alert in the state, police in Punjab stepped up their search for radical preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh. At the same time, security forces marched under a sea of flags in a number of locations, and authorities cut mobile internet and SMS services until Monday at noon.

Amritpal evades arrest for second day, major security alert in Punjab; important aide Kalsi taken to Assam

With a manhunt underway for radical Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh in Punjab, Haryana has intensified checking of vehicles along the border with the neighbouring state.

Punjab Police on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal and suspended internet and SMS services till Monday noon. It has arrested 78 members of 'Punjab Waris De', an outfit headed by him.

At the Shambhu border with Punjab, Ambala police have been put on high alert, officials said on Sunday.

Additional checkpoints have been set up and a large number of police personnel have been deployed there, they said.

In some other districts too, including Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Sirsa, which share borders with Punjab, police are maintaining strict vigil and have intensified checking of vehicles, they said.

CIA-1 incharge of Ambala police Harjinder Singh, who was present at the Haryana-Punjab border near Shambhu, said the situation is normal and peaceful but police are maintaining a vigil.

In Punjab, security forces conducted flag marches at several places in the state, including Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana.

Dubai-returned Amritpal was last year anointed the head of 'Waris Punjab De', which was founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident in February last year.

Last month, Amritpal and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar city, and clashed with police for the release of one of his aides. Six policemen were injured in the incident.

Punjab Police filed an FIR on February 23 in connection with the incident.

With a manhunt underway for radical Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh in Punjab, Haryana

Hunt for Amritpal: Haryana Police intensifies checking of vehicles along Punjab border

<span style="color: rgb(53,53,53);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: medium;font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji;">Chandigarh: On Saturday, the Punjab government reportedly began a significant crackdown against extremist Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh, with police detaining 78 members of an outfit headed by him.
<span style="color: rgb(53,53,53);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: medium;font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji;">Authorities ramped up security at several locations and suspended internet connections in the state till Sunday noon, but the elusive preacher himself gave the police the slip and avoided their dragnet when his cavalcade was intercepted in the Jalandhar area.
<span style="color: rgb(53,53,53);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: medium;font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji;">The police have said that they have begun a "major state-wide cordon and search operations (CASO)" throughout the state to apprehend members of the 'Waris Punjab De' (WPD), led by Singh, for whom multiple criminal charges had already been filed. It was reported that 78 people had been arrested and numerous others were being held for interrogation during the operation.—Inputs from Agencies&nbsp;

On Saturday, the Punjab government reportedly began a significant crackdown against extremist Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh, with police detaining 78 members of an outfit headed by him.

Punjab arrests 78 radical preacher Amritpal Singh supporters

Punjab: Punjab Police is learnt to have launched a crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh on Saturday detaining six of his supporters.  There were some reports suggesting that the self-styled Sikh preacher too had been detained near Nakodar but no official confirmation has come in this regard so far.  Internet services have been suspended across the state till 12 noon Sunday, said a senior official of the Home affairs department. Amripal's cavalcade was intercepted by police in Mehatpur village in Jalandhar district on Saturday.

Amripal's cavalcade was intercepted by police in Mehatpur village in Jalandhar district on Saturday

Punjab Police cracks down against radical preacher Amritpal Singh

Chandigarh (The Hawk): To resolve the grievances of the people related to the revenue department on the spot, Punjab Government will start first of its kind ‘Jan Maal Lok Adalat’ from Jalandhar. Revenue Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa said that as per the guidelines issued by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, efforts would be made to solve the problems of people related to the revenue department on the spot. He said that during ‘Jan Adalat’ various schemes and offices of the revenue department will also be inspected. It is pertinent to mention that before this, Jimpa had started a unique initiative by organizing ‘Janta Darbar’ of Water Supply and Sanitation Department.
Jimpa said that ‘Jan Maal Lok Adalat’ would be held on March 20. Complaints and problems related with Revenue Department would be heard and solved on the spot. He said that the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is making immense efforts to make the functioning of the revenue department easy and people-friendly. Department has adopted online system to streamline the work and more concrete steps will be taken in the future.
He further said that Lok Adalats would also be set up in other districts of Punjab. Jimpa said that CM Bhagwant Mann is working tirelessly to provide all facilities to the people of Punjab from day one. It is also the aim of the government that the people should not face any kind of hardship for the facilities and get all the facilities at their doorstep without any hassle. If any citizen has any problem or complaint, it would be resolved in a timely manner. If any officer or employee found guilty of negligence, strict action will be taken against him, Jimpa added.
Jimpa appealed to the people of Punjab not to give any bribe to any officer or employee for doing any work related to the revenue department and if anyone asks for a bribe then it should be reported immediately. He said that corrupt officers and employees will not be spared at any cost. He said that the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is fully committed to take Punjab to greater heights of progress. He sought cooperation from Punjabis to make the state 'Rangla Punjab'. —JMT

To resolve the grievances of the people related to the revenue department on the spot, Punjab Government will start first of its kind ‘Jan Maal Lok Adalat’ from Jalandhar. 

Punjab Government Will Start First Of Its Kind ‘Jan Maal Lok Adalat’

Chandigarh: A guy was apprehended and 18 bricks of pure gold weighing 1 kilogram each (a total of 18 kilogram) worth Rs 10,28,16,000 were recovered from his hands by customs officers at the Chandigarh airport, according to a statement released by a customs official on Saturday.
According to the official, the suspect, who flew into Chandigarh from Dubai on an IndiGo flight, was detained on the basis of passenger profiling after arriving in the city. The officer stated that the gold bricks had been seized in accordance with Section 110 of the Customs Act, and that the passenger had been placed under custody in accordance with Section 104 of the Act.—Inputs from Agencies

A guy was apprehended and 18 bricks of pure gold weighing 1 kilogram each (a total of 18 kilogram) worth Rs 10,28,16,000 were recovered from his hands by customs officers at the Chandigarh airport, according to a statement released by a customs official on Saturday

Man arrested with 18 kg gold bricks at Chandigarh airport

New Delhi: On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who pledged cooperation between the federal government and his state on the issue of law and order. Meanwhile, 1,900 members of the Central Reserve Police Force and its specialised anti-riot unit were being sent to the state to bolster its security. It was a topic of conversation between the two heads of state. According to reports, Mann explained the sequence of events that led up to the Ajnala incident to Shah.
To secure the release of his aide and kidnapping case accused Lovepreet Singh, self-styled Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh and his supporters, some of whom brandished swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into a police station in Ajnala on the outskirts of the Amritsar city on February 23. The chief minister said in a tweet in Punjabi that the "Centre and Punjab will work together on the subject of law and order".
Last week, according to official sources, the Union home ministry ordered the deployment of 18 companies to Punjab to "assist the state administration with law and order tasks." Eight of the 18 units are recruited from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), which is responsible for quelling riots, while the remainder are standard units. Over 1,900 people make up the combined strength of these businesses.—Inputs from Agencies

On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who pledged cooperation between the federal government and his state on the issue of law and order. Meanwhile, 1,900 members of the Central Reserve Police Force and its specialised anti-riot unit were being sent to the state to bolster its security. It was a topic of conversation between the two heads of state. According to reports, Mann explained the sequence of events that led up to the Ajnala incident to Shah.

Punjab CM meets HM Amit Shah; Centre sends 18 CRPF-RAF companies

Amritsar: A fight broke out on Sunday at the Goindwal Sahib Central Prison in the Tarn Taran area of Punjab, where two gangsters were imprisoned in connection with the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala, according to authorities.
Senior Superintendent of Police Gurmeet Singh Chauhan claimed that additional charges were being filed against them.
He added that one inmate was hurt and that the three were all part of the same gang.—Inputs from Agencies

A fight broke out on Sunday at the Goindwal Sahib Central Prison in the Tarn Taran area of Punjab, where two gangsters were imprisoned in connection with the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala, according to authorities.

Punjab's Goindwal Sahib jail clash kills 2 gangsters, police say

Amritsar: Amritpal Singh, who is considered to be a radical preacher and sympathizer of Khalistan separatist Jarnail Singh Bhind-ranwale, on Saturday said that calling him a "terrorist is terrorism" itself and said that he works for the people of Punjab and has an influence on the youth "not for wrong, but for right reasons".
Amritpal, who is also the chief of 'Waris Punjab De' organisation, whose supporters allegedly clashed with the Ajnala Police on February 23, said that he has many "political enemies".
In an exclusive interview with ANI, he said that he is against the bigger industries alleging that they are destroying the economy across the country. "I am fighting against bigger industries. The bigger industries are coming to Punjab and destroying the economy not just in Punjab but in every state. They are destroying the local businesses. Privatization is at its peak right now. When I speak against capitalism, these people are my enemies. They own the media houses. They call Amritpal a terrorist. Calling me a terrorist is terrorism, when a person fights against terrorism and has an influence on youth, not for any wrong reasons, but for right reasons," he said. He said that it is very relevant to talk about Kartar Singh Bhindranwale today and said that Punjab is a peaceful state. "It is very relevant to talk about Sant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale today. They are alleging that I took shelter of Guru Granth Sahib. Indira Gandhi (former Prime Minister) imposed Emergency. Section 144 was imposed everywhere. So Sant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale went out and did nagar kirtans, called them juloos. They were walking with Guru Granth Sahib ji. Somebody can say that you are using Guru Granth Sahib against Emergency. But Guru Granth Sahib is our living Guru and we are in its shelter all the time. You can see in the video, the Sangat was in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. When the police started lathi-charge, I got out of my car and went in the front. What happened yesterday is now over. Punjab is not disturbed, but a peaceful state," he said while describing the Ajnala clashes with the police. Amritpal claimed that he fights against drugs and helps youth overcome its addiction.
"Even before yesterday, we were doing 'dharm prachar' and fighting against drugs. We were running many centres in Punjab where youth come and leave drugs. We give them medical facilities. We are providing them with urgent medical attention. We are also trying to resolve the local issues of Punjab which are not able to be solved at the police stations," he said.
Dubbing the FIR against his associate Lovepreet Singh Toofan as the reason for the large protests in which thousands of his supporters demonstrated holding swords and guns in their hands on February 23, Amritpal said that the police should not have arrested Toofan if there was no evidence against him. Toofan was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and thrashing a man.
"Why did this thing lead to such protests? If the FIR didn't have any evidence, they should not have arrested Toofan Singh. Hundreds of police personnel went to his house like he was a terrorist and did not let him wear his turban properly. When we got the news that he was arrested, we contacted them. I told them that they cannot arrest somebody on the basis of the complaint by someone who is not mentally stable," he claimed.
Stating that he enjoys the support of a large number of people, Amritpal said that he is doing the things which Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should do.
"I have many political enemies. I have a huge number of supporters. Anybody can falsely accuse me of something. The police should not move without an FIR. What the Chief Minister should do, I am doing. It is his state, he should be doing the things. Instead of saying what Amritpal is doing, he should be doing the things. When he said he needs 24 hours to do justice in the sacrilege case, many months passed. Sidhu Moose Wala got killed," he said.
"The people here are peaceful and will remain so until they are harmed and provoked and made to go through injustice," the 'Waris Punjab De' chief added.
He called the violence during the protests in which several police personnel were injured a failure of the system.
"I went to the police station way before the palki came there. It's the system's failure. I will not say it is the failure of the police," he said.
Amritpal further said that the idea of sacredness is different for Sikhs than Hindus and Muslims and stressed that people should not define "sacredness of each other". "The idea of sacredness is very different from that of the Hindus and Muslims. What is sacred for us might not be sacred for Hindus. That does not mean they will define our sacredness. That is happening since 1947. They say you go to the Golden temple with weapons. It's propagated like it has been made impure. But I am asking them, what if I am making it more sacred by bringing weapons there? My Guru asked me whenever you come, make sure to get more weapons on you and come to Gurudwara. That's our sacredness. It's like a Hindu going to the temple and putting 'tilak' on his forehead. Let's not define the sacredness of each other," he said.
Thousands of supporters of 'Waris Punjab De' Chief Amritpal Singh on February 23 staged a massive demonstration in Amritsar to protest against the arrest of Singh's close aide Lovepreet Toofan. The Punjab Police decided to release Toofan that evening after "evidence" was presented before them.
"They have given enough proof that he (detained Lovepreet Toofan) is innocent. SIT has taken cognizance of it. These people will peacefully disperse now and the law will take its own course," the SSP had said.
Notbly, Amritpal's supporters had threatened to disturb law and order in Toofan was not released within 24 hours.
—ANI

Amritpal Singh, who is considered to be a radical preacher and sympathizer of Khalistan separatist Jarnail Singh Bhind-ranwale, on Saturday said that calling him a "terrorist is terrorism" itself and said that he works for the people of Punjab and has an influence on the youth "not for wrong, but for right reasons".

'Calling Me Terrorist Is  Terrorism': Amritpal Singh

Chandigarh: Those who turned over Guru Granth Sahib to the police cannot be considered true "waris" of Punjab. C.M. Mann. On Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann remarked that people who used the Guru Granth Sahib as a shield at a police station cannot be considered the 'waris' (heir) of Punjab.
A few days prior to his comments, on Thursday, self-proclaimed Sikh preacher and Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh and his supporters, some of whom brandished swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into a police station in Ajnala on the outskirts of the city of Amritsar, demanding the release of his aide and kidnapping case accused Lovepreet Singh.
For the purpose of holding "amrit sanchar" (a Sikh ceremony) at the police station, Amritpal, the leader of an organisation called "Waris Punjab De," and his followers drove a van with a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib there.—Inputs from Agencies

Those who turned over Guru Granth Sahib to the police cannot be considered true "waris" of Punjab. C.M. Mann.

Punjab's "waris" cannot be those who carried Guru Granth Sahib to police: Mann

Chandigarh: Radical preacher Amritpal Singh's aide Lovepreet Singh, who was accused of kidnapping among other charges, walked out of a jail on Friday, hours after a court ordered his release based on the application of police.
His release comes hours after self-styled gun-trotting Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, who just came to the limelight after returning from Dubai for criminal and social connect, and his sea of supporters on Thursday, carrying swords and arms, clashed with the police and forcefully laid a siege on a police station in Ajnala, which led to a scuffle and injuries to several police personnel in Amritsar district.
They were staging a demonstration against the arrest of Lovepreet Toofan. To diffuse the tension, Police Commissioner Jaskaran Singh had told the media they have given enough proof that Lovepreet Toofan is innocent. "The SIT (Special Investigation Team) has taken note of it. These people will peacefully disperse now, and the law will take its course," he said.—IANS

 Radical preacher Amritpal Singh's aide Lovepreet Singh, who was accused of kidnapping among other charges, walked out of a jail on Friday, hours after a court ordered his release based on the application of police.

Day After Mayhem, Radical Leader Amritpal Singh’s Aide Released From Jail

Chandigarh: Officials from the Punjab Police stated that on Sunday, they conducted a special operation in which checkpoints were set up at 131 entry and exit locations across 10 inter-state border districts, inspecting over 6,000 cars and issuing challans to 366 violators.
Thirty-two automobiles were seized by the police, they reported.
Police reported seizing 70 kilogrammes of poppy husk, 1 kilogram of charas, 110 grammes of heroin, and one lakh rupees in drug money during the operation, in addition to registering 33 FIRs and arresting three proclaimed offenders.—Inputs from Agencies

Officials from the Punjab Police stated that on Sunday, they conducted a special operation in which checkpoints were set up at 131 entry and exit locations across 10 inter-state border districts, inspecting over 6,000 cars and issuing challans to 366 violators

Punjab Police conducts "Operation Seal", over 6K vehicles checked, challans issued to 366 violators

Chandigarh: On Monday, Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit raised questions about the selection of school principals for a foreign trip, prompting a sharp response from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who said his government is only responsible to the people of Punjab and not to a governor appointed by the Central government.
Conflict began when Purohit wrote to Mann alleging that he had received reports of "malpractices and illegalities" in the selection of government school administrators to attend a training seminar in Singapore.
Purohit wrote to Chief Minister Mann, saying that Mann "never cared to reply" to his letters in the past, and reminding Mann that he was not elected to run the state according to his "whims and fancies" or to ignore requests for information from the Raj Bhavan, which he is "bound to furnish" under the Constitution.—Input from Agencies

On Monday, Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit raised questions about the selection of school principals for a foreign trip, prompting a sharp response from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who said his government is only responsible to the people of Punjab and not to a governor appointed by the Central government.

Punjab row: Guv asks CM to explain principals' visit abroad, Mann claims not answerable to him

Chandigarh: Official sources said on Wednesday that AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh had resigned as the chairman of the Punjab Assembly's committee on government assurances.
They added that the Amritsar North MLA emailed his resignation to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha secretary on Tuesday, but that it has not yet been accepted.
Singh is reported to have called a meeting of senior government officials on January 20 to talk about the investigation into the 2015 sacrilege cases.—Inputs from Agencies

Official sources said on Wednesday that AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh had resigned as the chairman of the Punjab Assembly's committee on government assurances

Kunwar Vijay Pratap, AAP MLA, resigns as Punjab Assembly committee chairman

Chandigarh: Following a bomb threat call on Tuesday afternoon, police in Chandigarh reportedly began searching the district court complex.
"We got information from the control room that there might be a bomb (inside the court complex). After this, a massive search operation has been launched," a senior Chandigarh police official said.
The court complex in Sector 43 was evacuated, and the police told everyone inside, including the judges and lawyers, to move out.—Inputs from Agencies

Following a bomb threat call on Tuesday afternoon, police in Chandigarh reportedly began searching the district court complex

After bomb threat call, Chandigarh district court evacuated, police search.

Chandigarh: In Punjab, police have arrested 255 people in the last month for allegedly selling banned "Chinese manjha" or synthetic kite strings. After several tragic accidents during kite flying competitions, the state police are cracking down on the sale of banned "Chinese manjha."
On Monday, Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill detailed the measures taken over the last month against those selling the banned "Chinese manjha," saying that police teams had recovered 11,364 "Chinese dor bundles (kite strings)" after filing 234 First Information Reports (FIRs) and arresting 255 people involved in the sale of this deadly kite flying string.
Notably, just a few days ago, a four-year-old boy in the Ludhiana district near Samrala got more than 100 stitches in his face after "China dor," as it is known in Punjab, got wrapped around his neck and cut him deeply.—Inputs from Agencies

In Punjab, police have arrested 255 people in the last month for allegedly selling banned "Chinese manjha" or synthetic kite strings

Punjab police arrest 255 people for selling banned "Chinese manjha"

Chandigarh: Former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday and slammed the Congress, which he quit before starting his new political innings, for factionalism.
He lauded the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, saying India has emerged strong, including diplomatically and economically, under their nearly nine-year rule.
Voicing concern over the state of affairs in Punjab, he said the state is "slipping" and the BJP is the only party which can meet the challenges facing it.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
On his decision to quit the Congress, he said how can one operate in a party which is at "war with itself. Not only in Punjab but in many states, the party is full of factions". Union minister Piyush Goyal, who was present during his joining ceremony at the BJP headquarters here, was effusive in his praise of Badal.
Badal is erudite, simple and experienced and was also guided by larger national interest during the GST council meeting when he represented Punjab as it finance minister, Goyal said.
It is a golden day and his joining the BJP will further strengthen its bond with Sikhs, the senior BJP leader said. Earlier in his resignation letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Badal said he was "disillusioned" by the party. “I devoted every ounce of energy to every office I have had the honour of holding, both in the party and the government. I thank you for having provided me these opportunities and for the kindness and courtesy you have shown me in the past," he said in the letter which he posted on his Twitter handle.
“Regretfully, given the prevalent culture within the party and the defiant desire in the present course, I no longer wish to be a part of the Indian National Congress,” he said. Badal, who served as the finance minister in the previous Congress government, said, "Seven years ago, I merged the People's Party of Punjab with your party. I did so with immense hope and an expectation of being integrated into an organisation with a rich history that would allow me to serve both the people of Punjab and its interests to the best of my ability." "Initial enthusiasm gradually gave way to disappointing disillusionment,” he added.&nbsp;
—PTI

 Former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday and slammed the Congress, which he quit before starting his new political innings, for factionalism.

'Disillusioned' By Congress, Ex-Punjab Minister Joins BJP

Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Cabinet Minister Fauja Singh Sarari tendered his resignation from the Punjab Cabinet on Saturday.
According to sources, Fauja Singh Sarari tendered his resignation citing personal reasons, saying that he is a loyal soldier of the party and will remain so.
The oath for the new minister is likely to be administered in a simple program at Raj Bhavan before 5 pm today.
According to sources, a major reshuffle is likely to take place in the Punjab cabinet and new faces may get a chance.
—ANI

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Cabinet Minister Fauja Singh Sarari tendered his resignation from the Punjab Cabinet on Saturday.

Amritpal's mentor Papalpreet helped him escape police dragnet

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