Patiala Violence: 3 Senior Police Officials Transferred, Mobile Internet Suspended Till 6 PM Today

Patiala witnessed clashes between two groups yesterday. A curfew was imposed in the district on Friday (till 6 am on Saturday) as four people were injured in the clash between members of a right-wing group and Sikh radicals during an anti-Khalistan rally. Clashes broke out near the city’s Kali Devi temple on Friday afternoon, officials said, adding that police were prompted to fire bullets in the air to control the crowd.

Now, CM Bhawant Mann has not only ordered the transfer of 3 senior cops but the mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended in the district.

A statement from CM office, said:

“Divulging the details a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mukhwinder Singh Chinna has been appointed as new IG Patiala while Deepak Parik and Wazir Singh have been appointed as new SSP and SP of Patiala respectively”.

CM Mann has ordered the transfer of inspector general of police Rakesh Agarwal, SSP (senior superintendent of police) Nanak Singh, and SP (superintendent of police) city Harpal Singh.

The mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA), all SMS services and all dongle services etc. provided on mobile networks except voice calls have been suspended till 6 pm on Saturday.

As per the official order:

“The mobile internet services remains suspended between 9:30 AM to 6 PM in the district. There is likelihood of tension, annoyance, obstruction or injury to persons, danger to human life and property, disturbance of public peace and tranquility within the limits of district Patiala due to the recent law and order events. Stopping the spread of misinformation is necessary to thwart the designs and activities of anti-national and anti-social groups or elements and maintain peace and communal harmony and to prevent any loss of life or damage to public or private property”.

Meanwhile, Harish Singla, the now-expelled Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) leader, who is accused of instigating violence in Patiala, was arrested and produced in the court after his medical examination.

While talking to the media personnel of NDTV, CM Bhagwant Mann said:

“The people of Punjab believe in peace and religious harmony and the state government will not allow the situation in the state to deteriorate. Yesterday’s clashes in Patiala were political and not communal as reported earlier”.

“The issue has been solved. There were few Shiv Sena members, and some from the BJP, their district head. On the other side, there were Shiromani Akali Dal workers. It was a clash between two political parties, not a communal clash”, he further added.

CM Mann, who is in Delhi to attend the joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts today, also countered criticism on not rushing back to Punjab to supervise the government action in the case.

Staring that the situation is under control in Patiala, he said that Punjab’s people believe in peace and communal harmony. We will not allow any kind of polarisation in the state, and won’t compromise on law and order situation. This is a border state. The situation is now normal in Patiala.

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