Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu on Tuesday said the Bhagwant Mann-led government has significantly strengthened Punjab Police with advanced technology, modern equipment and international coordination, enabling it to track and bring back gangsters from across the world.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu said Punjab Police has been upgraded into a high-tech force capable of pursuing criminals from countries including the United States, Canada, Dubai, Malaysia and Moldova. He said the government's message is clear that no gangster involved in crimes in Punjab can consider any part of the world a safe haven.
Pannu claimed that Punjab Police has successfully brought back more than a dozen gangsters from foreign countries. He cited the recent case of Karamveer Singh alias Karamveer Dev, a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who was deported from Canada and detained at Delhi Airport before being brought to Punjab by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF).
Criticising opposition parties, Pannu said they have little to offer the people of Punjab and are attempting to malign the state government while ignoring its action against organized crime. He alleged that gangsterism expanded significantly in Punjab between 2007 and 2017 and continued during the Congress government's tenure from 2017 to 2022.
Drawing a contrast with the Mann government, Pannu said Punjab Police has adopted a policy of relentlessly pursuing gangsters even after they flee abroad. He said those brought back to India include Sachin Bishnoi, Manpreet Singh alias Peeta, Ramanjit Singh alias Romi, Parminder Singh alias Pindi, Anmol Bishnoi, Amritpal alias Mehro, Gurvinder Singh and Jobandeep Singh alias Joban Billa.
He added that Anmol Bishnoi was brought back from the United States, while Amritpal alias Mehro, accused in the murder of an Instagram influencer, was returned from Dubai. Gurvinder Singh was brought back from Malaysia. Pannu also said that AGTF officials recently brought gangster Amritpal alias Amrit Dhallam back from Moldova and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann personally appreciated the team's efforts.
Highlighting police modernization, Pannu said the government's efforts go beyond providing vehicles and infrastructure. He said Punjab Police personnel have been equipped with advanced technologies and modern equipment that have enhanced intelligence gathering, crime prevention and operational capabilities.
Referring to a recent encounter in Ludhiana, he claimed that intelligence inputs enabled police to act before criminals could execute an attack on a blood donation camp. According to Pannu, improved technological capabilities have strengthened the force's ability to prevent crimes and apprehend gangsters.
He further stated that Punjab Police is pursuing criminals even in countries that do not have extradition treaties with India and is receiving increasing cooperation from foreign authorities, as such criminals have become a concern for those countries as well.
Pannu said the Mann government's message is unequivocal: Punjab is in safe hands, and anyone involved in crime or intimidation in the state will be tracked down and brought to justice, regardless of where they attempt to hide.
