Chandigarh: The Punjab police, on March 18, launched a crackdown against the pro-Khalistan organisation ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief, Amritpal Singh.
More than a week after launching a crackdown against fugitive pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh and his aides, the Punjab Police on Sunday said it has released 197 people of the total 353 taken into preventive custody on the apprehension of breach of peace and disturbance of law and order.
The police said it has detained seven persons under the stringent National Security Act. On March 18, the police launched a crackdown against the pro-Khalistan organisation ‘Waris Punjab De,’ which Amritpal Singh heads.
Chief minister Bhagwant Mann has issued clear directions that the Punjab Police should adopt a positive approach while screening persons arrested on account of apprehension of breach of the peace or in substantive criminal offences, according to an official release.
“A total of 197 persons of a total of 353 arrested under preventive sections of the law have been released till Sunday,” Punjab Police claims.
Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said directions have been issued to all senior superintendents of police and commissioners of police in the state to ensure that no innocent person is harassed or arrested. Investigating officers and their supervisory officers should first examine the available evidence and satisfy themselves before undertaking any preventive arrest or arrest in substantive offences, he said.
The DGP said apart from the 353, 40 persons have been arrested under substantive criminal offences and seven persons have been detained under the National Security Act. In accordance with the CM’s directions, police will review the status of persons arrested under substantive criminal offences by examining the available evidence and taking a positive approach, said the DGP.
The DGP said that strict action would be taken against rumour-mongering people and ones who spread fake news. Police conducted flag marches and patrolling, and maintained a presence in markets and other important locations in the state on 26th March.
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