Clashes broke out on Friday when members of an organization started ‘Khalistan Murdabad March’.
Chandigarh:
A day after four people were injured in clashes between two groups during an anti-Khalistan march in Patiala, the Punjab government today took strict action against the state police, three top officials of the department for failing to control the violence in the district. swept aside. ,
Inspector General of Police (Patiala Range), Senior Superintendent of Police and Superintendent of Police, Patiala were transferred from the post following orders from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who is reportedly upset over the police’s response to the violence, sources told NDTV.
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mukhwinder Singh Chinna has been appointed as the new IG-Patiala Range, while Deepak Parik will be the new Senior Superintendent of Police of Patiala.
Wazir Singh has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Police, Patiala.
Officials said that the curfew imposed in the city at 7 pm was lifted at 6 am today but mobile internet and SMS services were suspended in the city to check the spread of rumours. The state government said that all mobile internet and SMS services, except voice calls, will remain suspended in the district from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm.
“Mobile Internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA), all SMS services and all dongle services etc. are provided on mobile networks, except for voice calls in the territorial jurisdiction of Patiala District, as on 30 April 2022 at 9 am. :30 am to 6 pm. All telecom service providers in the state of Punjab and the head of BSNL (Punjab Jurisdiction) are directed to ensure compliance of this order,” the state government release said.
Patiala Deputy Commissioner was quoted by news agency ANI as saying that the government has taken this decision to stop the rumours.
He said, “Peace and peace should be maintained. The situation is under control. Mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended today to stop the rumour-mongers. FIRs have been registered in three cases. Video footage found Action will be taken on the basis of evidence.” ,
Clashes broke out outside the Kali Mata temple when members of an organization calling themselves Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) started the ‘Khalistan Murdabad March’. Members of both the factions also raised swords and pelted stones at each other.
The situation was brought under control after police fired in the air to disperse the crowd.
Later in the evening, after a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) leader Harish Singla was arrested.
Mr Mann termed the incident as unfortunate and vowed that his government would not allow anyone to create unrest in the state.