New Delhi : Concerned over the Ajnala incident in Punjab — during which radical Sikh leader Amritpal Singh and his supporters, armed with swords and guns, had barged into a police station to demand the release of his aide accused of kidnapping — and similar attempts by pro-Khalistan forces to whip up separatist sentiments in the state, home minister Amit Shah on Thursday met Bhagwant Mann here and emphasised upon the need for the state police to firmly deal with such elements.
The meeting with Mann — attended by Punjab home secretary, DGP and intelligence officers — came a day after Shah’s meeting with Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit. Similar concerns are known to have been raised by Shah with the governor.
Sources told TOIthat Shah expressed his displeasure over handling of the Ajnala incidents and alleged failure by the Punjab police to stand up to pressure from unruly supporters of Amritpal Singh. Their decision to let Amritpal’s aide Lovepreet Singh walk free has been criticised by many as one that could embolden pro-Khalistan elements to challenge the law enforcement agencies yet again.
The police’s “soft” handling of Amritpal Singh, who moves around with a private army of 20-25 armed supporters, central agencies believe, has only made it increasingly difficult to rein him in.