High security on Republic Day in Punjab due to death threat to CM Bhagwant Mann, 20,000 policemen deployed

CHANDIGARH: In view of death threats issued to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann by the Khalistani leader and head of US based organisation Sikhs for Justice Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the Punjab Police has beefed up the security and deployed around 20,000 police force for peaceful celebrations of Republic Day in the border state.

The high security has been deployed on the orders of Bhagwant Mann. An official spokesman said that Punjab Police have deployed senior Police Officers from the Headquarters in different districts and mobilised a force of over 20000 police personnel to ensure foolproof law and order and security arrangements at all the venues.

Notably, Governor of Punjab Banwarilal Purohit will unfurl the National Flag and take the salute during a state-level Republic Day function to be held in Patiala, while, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will unfurl the National Flag in Ludhiana.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill, who was addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, said that Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav has been personally supervising the security arrangements for Republic Day and has also appointed Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla as the nodal officer to ensure meticulous security arrangements at all the venues.

“Foolproof arrangements are in place and Senior Police officers of the rank of Spl DGP/ADGP/IGP/DIG have been asked to camp in different districts to monitor the security arrangements at their respective venues personally,” he said.

He said that all the Gazetted Officers and Station House Officers (SHOs) have also been asked to remain in the field till the culmination of the Republic Day event, besides this, additional forces have been deployed at the sensitive pockets.

The IGP said that the DGP Punjab has ordered extensive checking of vehicles and suspicious people across the state. Plans to seal all the inter-state, inter-district and inter-city boundaries in the state are being implemented, he added.

He also urged the people of Punjab to remain alert all the time, and immediately report to the police if they find any suspicious. “People can inform the Police on 112 helpline number,” he added.

Meanwhile, CPs/SSPs have also been asked to conduct cordon and search operations (CASO) at and around Railway Stations and Bus Stands and check vulnerable places including markets Government Buildings and Religious places.