The Centre on Thursday approved sending additional troops of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPFs) on state’s demand. The decision aims to maintain law and order in the state ahead of the Sikh fest. They will be assisting the local police in the state. The development comes after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Paramilitary Forces will be serving in Punjab from March 6 to March 16. The decision has been made in the wake of upcoming event, Hola Mohalla, in Punjab which sees a large gathering of Nihangs. The three-day-long festival sees locals coming together to celebrate the skills portrayed by Nihangs.
ICYMI: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann meets Home Minister Amit Shah, briefs him on Ajnala incident
Hola Mohalla a threat to Punjab law and order
Amid the recent Ajnala incident, the Punjab govt is apprehensive that pro-Khalistani sentiments may be floated during the event. The Central help has been sought to maintain the law and order during the fest.
Punjab had asked for forces from the Home Ministry after the Ajnala incident which saw pro-Khalistani clashing with police demanding to release one of their associates.
While Punjab had asked or a high number of troops, a suitable group has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs. At least 30 companies will be deploying forces in Punjab. Ahead of the Hola Mohalla, the Central agencies have also raised concerns and asked for Punjab govt’s focus.
Punjab CM Mann meets Amit Shah
On Thursday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Amit Shah over law and order situation in the state.
Confirming the development, a senior functionary of the CM office had said, “The Chief Minister has got an appointment with Amit Shah in the afternoon. Besides updating the Home Minister on the law and order situation in the state, Bhagwant Mann is expected to report, specially, on the recent incident in which a mob led by Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh stormed into a police station in Ajnala.”
The functionary said, “Besides signal for potential trouble in future, the warning sign was also the right opportunity to prepare an action plan on time. The state is not prepared for another round of troubled 1980s.”
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