Peace to be maintained at all costs: DGP

Peace to be maintained at all costs: DGP
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 12
“No one will be permitted to disturb peace in the state at any cost,” Director-General of Punjab Police N.P.S. Aulakh declared regarding the police department’s preparedness for the bandh call given by the Shiv Sena (Hindustan) and the ‘Fateh’ march planned by Simranjit Singh Mann, leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (A), on December 14.
Aulakh was in the city for a short time, to hold a meeting with the IG Patiala, DIG Faridkot range, SSP Bathinda, SSP Mansa and SSP Faridkot. After the meeting, the DGP left for Jalandhar.
It is believed that the police officials were directed to be vigilant and take preventive measures to ensure the peace and harmony in their respective areas. The DGP personally directed the SSPs to keep a watch on anti-social elements.
The DGP also inspected the crime chart of the range and gave directives for taking some action that are to be enforced.
In a short interaction with the media, Aulakh emphasised upon the need to take preventive measures to ensure hat the bandh passes off peacefully.
It may be recalled that the Shiv Sena (H) has called for the bandh to protest the installation of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s portraitwhile SAD (A) has decided to oppose the Punjab bandh.

Shiv Sena workers detained

Acting reportedly upon the directives of the DGP, the Bathinda police arrested six workers of the Shiv Sena (H), including the state vice-president of the party, here on Wednesday. All have been arrested as part of preventive measures for the proposed bandh call given for December 14.
State vice-president of the party, Yogesh Batish, said, “We were in a group when the police arrested us near the railway station. We were requesting the shopkeepers to cooperate with us on the day of bandh. Our proceedings were peaceful, but all of a sudden, DSP (Traffic) and the SHO Kotwali, along with a number of policemen, came and rounded us up and took us to the police station.”
On the other hand, SHO Kotwali, Davinder Singh, said, “We had information that they were planning to burn an effigy, which could have led to an untoward situation. Using legal powers, we arrested them under sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC.”
When contacted, SSP Naunihal Singh said the arrest was a part of the agenda decided at a meeting with the DGP to ensure peace on the day of the bandh. The step is part of preventive measures. Some reports have been received that there are chances of a disturbance.”
He also repeated the stand taken by the DGP that nobody would be allowed to disturb peace at any cost.