"Did not want bloodshed", says CM Mann on Amritpal's arrest

On the arrest of Amritpal Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, "I did not sleep the whole night as I was monitoring the situation while talking to the police. The Punjab Chief Minister has issued a statement after the arrest of Amritpal Singh.

Chandigarh (Punjab): After the arrest of Amritpal Singh, the head of the Waris Punjab De organisation, addressing the media on Sunday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, "I thank the three crore people of Punjab. They have given proof of brotherhood for 30-35 days. I want the youth of Punjab to have degrees and sports medals in their hands. I do not want the youth of Punjab to fall into any temptation."

In a video message released from Chandigarh, Chief Minister Mann said, "There were attempts to break the law and order in Punjab for many months. Some people were caught on March 18. The arrest could have taken place on the same day, but we did not want any gunshots or bloodshed in the state."

Mann said that he wants the youth of Punjab to hold degrees in their hands, appointment letters for occupying high posts and medals in top sporting events. He said people had given the responsibility to the Aam Aadmi Party, which entrusted him with the duty, as the Chief Minister, to protect the life and property of the people. "For that, we may have to take any action or take tough measures but not against any innocent," he said, adding the law is taking its own course.

Facing flak over the last month for the failure to arrest Amritpal, the Chief Minister said that he did not want any bloodshed during the operation. He said after he received information on Saturday night, I did not sleep the whole night and I was in regular touch with senior police officer over phone after every 15 minutes, half an hour to get information.

"I thank 3.5 crore Punjabis for maintaining peace and harmony during these 35 days," the Chief Minister said. Amritpal Singh was arrested by the Punjab police from the Moga district in Punjab around 6.45 am today morning. Amritpal was absconding since March 18, the day the Punjab police launched a massive man-hunt to nab him. The Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh's other associates are also lodged at Dibrugarh jail. (With Agency Inputs)