IEP Chandigarh, March 24
Punjab Police on Friday released as many as 44 persons, who were taken into preventive arrest during the ongoing operation against those trying to disturb law and order in the state, from police custody. Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann has given clear instructions to not harass any innocent persons during the operation. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that in the larger interest of the public and keeping in view that youngsters should not suffer, Punjab Police have decided to release those persons who have a minimum role or were just following Amritpal Singh on religious sentiments only. As many as 44 persons, who were under preventive arrest were handed over to their family members on Friday, with the promise of good conduct in future. The development came a day after the announcement by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Sukhchain Singh Gill that Punjab Police might release 177 arrested persons from preventive custody. Notably, a total of 207 persons have been arrested for disturbing peace and harmony in the state, of which, 30 have been found in substantive criminal activities, while, remaining were under preventive arrest. He had also assured that people involved in baptism and de-addiction will also not be bothered at all. IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill said that Police teams are doing thorough screening of remaining persons, who are under preventive arrest, and soon, they will also be released from the police custody if they were not found involved in any substantive criminal activities. Meanwhile, the operation is being carried out on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann with an aim to save the innocent youth of Punjab from playing into the hands of Anti-National Forces
