Harpal Singh Cheema issues warning to ‘enemies of Punjab’: Fall in line or be destroyed

The Bhagwant Mann-led government has been facing flak from the opposition over the deteriorating law and order with several crime incidents being reported over the last few days, including the February 23 incident when supporters of self-styled chief of Waris Punjab De Amritpal Singh stormed the Ajnala police station complex in Amritsar, forcing authorities to agree on the release of one of his arrested associates.

Though Cheema issued the warning, but he did not directly refer to the incident in Ajnala or Amritpal.

Cheema also proposed Rs 164 crore for modernisation of the police force. This includes Rs 40 crore to strengthen the security infrastructure in border districts and “for undertaking activities such as installation of CCTV cameras in areas close to the International Border; adequate lightening provisions; high-end vehicles for mobility, etc.”

He said the state government is preparing its law enforcing agencies and police forces for all odds. He proposed an outlay of Rs 40 crore to fortify the counter-intelligence wing of the force with the latest equipment and infrastructure, he said.

He said Rs 64 crore will be spent on modernisation of the police force and Rs 30 crore on combating cybercrime in the coming year. “The latest and sophisticated threat being faced by the world today is cyber warfare and cybercrimes. Our government will modernise the cybercrime setup and enhance its capabilities,” the finance minister asserted.

He proposed an allocation of Rs 33 crore for the purchase of land for police lines, stations and other offices for the police, besides Rs 10 crore for the construction and renovation of police complexes and buildings in 2023-2024. Cheema also announced a special assistance of Rs 26 crore to aid the Punjab Police Housing Corporation for repaying the loan taken from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO).

“To effectively combat gangster culture and to restore people’s confidence in law and order machinery, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has spearheaded dedicated operations against the gangsters and criminals in the state. Till the end of February 2023, AGTF has arrested 567 gangsters/ criminals, neutralised 5 gangsters, busted 156 gangster/criminal modules and recovered 563 weapons and 125 vehicles used in criminal activities,” he added.