Punjab Government Denies Blame for Deteriorating Law and Order, Emphasizes Peaceful Handling of Farmers’ Protest

Punjab Government Denies Blame for Deteriorating Law and Order, Emphasizes Peaceful Handling of Farmers’ Protest

The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has strongly denied responsibility for the perceived deterioration of law and order in the state. In a letter to the Union Home Secretary, the Chief Secretary of Punjab, Mr. Anurag Verma, clarified the situation surrounding the recent gathering of farmers on the border between Shambhu and Dhabi.

The letter refutes claims that the Punjab government allowed a large number of people to gather at the border. It clarifies that the gathering is a consequence of the Haryana Police forcefully stopping farmers protesting in their state from proceeding towards Delhi. This restriction has led to people accumulating at two locations on the Punjab-Haryana border.

The Chief Secretary emphasized that the farmers’ movement within Punjab has been largely peaceful, with no reports of any untoward incidents. He further highlighted that the Haryana Police’s use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and other forceful measures, including drones, resulted in injuries to approximately 160 individuals.

Despite these challenging circumstances, the Punjab government has effectively managed the situation. Regular dialogues are being held between state officials and farmer leaders to prevent excessive crowding at the border. The Chief Secretary assured that no reports of disruptive or unlawful activities have been identified amongst the protestors, and the police are closely monitoring the situation.

The letter further underscores the importance of addressing the farmers’ demands, which ultimately lie within the purview of the Central government. The Chief Secretary acknowledged the four meetings held by the Union government with farmer unions, in which the Punjab government actively participated, with the Chief Minister personally attending three of them. When the Chief Minister was unavailable, high-level officials, including a Cabinet Minister, represented the state in these crucial discussions.

The Chief Secretary urged the Central government to address the farmers’ concerns with empathy to facilitate an amicable resolution. He emphasized the criticality of maintaining law and order in Punjab, especially considering its status as a border state. He assured that the entire police force is vigilant and the situation is currently under control.

The letter concludes by advising against relying solely on media reports and highlighting the deployment of senior police officers and over 2000 personnel to maintain peace and order. Continuous monitoring at the highest level is ongoing, and necessary actions will be taken to prevent any potential disruption.

This detailed explanation by the Punjab government aims to clarify the situation surrounding the farmers’ protest and their commitment to maintaining peace and order within the state.