Amid criticism by the Opposition for the delay in nabbing Amritpal Singh, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday mentioned he didn’t need any bloodshed throughout the operation and in an try and arrest the novel preacher on that day, “perhaps, bullets may have been fired. However we didn’t need any bloodshed”.
“As residence minister and chief minister, I’m sharing with you that had we arrested him on March 18, then bullets would have been fired. We didn’t need to do this. We may have performed something throughout the Ajnala violence additionally after they (Amritpal and his supporters) carried the palanquin carrying the Guru Granth Sahib, however I didn’t need something performed. I recognize the police for exercising such restraint,” Mann mentioned in a video message hours after the Punjab Police arrested the ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief from Moga district’s Rode village.
Watch: Amritpal Singh arrested after 36-day manhunt; Punjab cops urge ‘Preserve Peace’ I Watch
The Opposition, nevertheless, focused the state authorities over the operation, with former CM and Congress chief Charanjit Singh Channi calling it a “drama”.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema mentioned the AAP authorities “defamed the Sikh neighborhood” by its dealing with of the scenario.
Congress chief Randeep Surjewala took on each the state and central authorities, saying that many questions nonetheless remained unanswered.
Mann additionally mentioned he was in contact with senior officers all through Saturday night time concerning the operation and asserted that those that attempt to disturb peace will face motion as per legislation.
“I didn’t sleep the entire night time and I used to be in common contact with senior officers over telephone after each quarter-hour, half an hour to get info. I needed that total factor (operation to arrest Amritpal) ought to be performed in a peaceable method,” he mentioned.
Mann thanked the individuals of Punjab for his or her cooperation and mentioned he doesn’t need the youth to be misled by individuals with vested pursuits who run their retailers by driving a marketing campaign towards the nation.
Punjab’s land is fertile and something can develop right here, however “seeds of hatred won’t ever develop nor will these be allowed to develop”, Mann mentioned.
Mann mentioned that he desires the youth of Punjab to carry levels of their arms, appointment letters for occupying excessive posts and medals in high sporting occasions.
The arrest got here greater than a month after the state police launched the crackdown towards him following the storming of the Ajnala police station by his supporters to safe the discharge of an arrested affiliate.