Punjab Chief Minister Mann met Amit Shah; Center tightens security ahead of G20 summit
In an effort to maintain peace and tranquility in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday and discussed the issue of law and order in the state.
To strengthen the security grid, 1900 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel are being sent to the state along with a special anti-riot unit, especially as the date of the G20 summit in Amritsar approaches.
Both the leaders discussed the issue of law and order. Sources said Mann briefed Shah about the circumstances surrounding the Ajnala incident.
On 23 February, self-styled Sikh preacher and Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh and his supporters, some of whom brandished swords and guns, broke through barricades and entered a police station at Ajnala, on the outskirts of Amritsar city, demanding assurances from the police . Police said that his associate and accused in the kidnapping case, Lovepreet Singh, would be released.
In a tweet in Punjabi, the chief minister said the Center and Punjab would work together on the issue of law and order.
Official sources said that the Union Home Ministry last week also directed the deployment of 18 companies to assist the state government during law and order duties in Punjab.
Of the 18 contingents, eight are drawn from the anti-riot Rapid Action Force (RAF), while the rest are regulars. The total strength of these companies is around 19,000 personnel.
10 columns of CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), 8 columns of RPF (Railway Protection Force), 2 columns of BSF (Border Security Force), 12 columns of ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) and 10 columns of SSB (Armed Border Force) has been sent to Punjab in the midst of the G20 meeting to be held from March 15 to 17.
Sources said these companies have been initially tasked to be deployed in Punjab between March 6-16 and their stay may be extended after consultations between the state and the Centre.
He said the companies would assist the state police in security duties during the three-day Sikh festival of ‘Hola Mohalla’ to be celebrated between March 8-10.
The Chief Minister said that he has discussed the issue of drones and drugs on the border with the Home Minister. He said the issue of shifting of barbed wire along the border was also discussed. Mann said that he has asked Shah to release the stalled Rural Development Fund of Punjab soon.
Security tightened ahead of G-20 summit
10 columns of CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), 8 columns of RPF (Railway Protection Force), 2 columns of BSF (Border Security Force), 12 columns of ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) and 10 columns of SSB (Armed Border Force) has been sent to Punjab in the midst of the G20 meeting to be held from March 15 to 17. These teams will reach Punjab on March 6 and will return after the conclusion of the G20 summit.
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