Chandigarh, Punjab: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government has claimed that it has intensified its crackdown on gangsters hiding abroad as part of its ongoing campaign against drugs and organised crime. AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu said on Tuesday that during the tenure of the Bhagwant Mann government, the Punjab Police has brought back more than a dozen gangsters from different countries. Some of those brought back are also reportedly considered close associates of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
Addressing a press conference, Baltej Pannu said that the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has prioritised action against drugs and gangster networks since coming to power. He said the Punjab Police has been equipped with modern technology and advanced tools to strengthen its ability to tackle criminal networks operating within the state as well as criminals hiding overseas.
Pannu said gangsters have been brought back from several countries, including the United States, Dubai, Malaysia and Moldova. Those brought back include Sachin Bishnoi, Manpreet Singh alias Peeta, Ramanjeet Singh alias Romi, Parminder Singh alias Pindi, Anmol Bishnoi, Amritpal alias Mehro, Gurwinder Singh, and Jobandeep Singh alias Joban Billa.
According to Pannu, Anmol Bishnoi was brought back from the United States, while Amritpal alias Mehro was brought back from Dubai and Gurwinder Singh from Malaysia. He also said that recently, a team of the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) brought Amritpal alias Amrit Dhalam back from Moldova.
Meanwhile, the return of Karamveer Singh alias Karamveer Dev, who is reportedly considered close to Lawrence Bishnoi, has also come to light. Baltej Pannu said Karamveer Dev was deported from Canada. Following his arrest at Delhi Airport, an AGTF team is taking him to Punjab.
Pannu claimed that the government’s action against gangsters has continued even after they fled abroad. He said the government’s objective is to ensure that no person involved in criminal activities in Punjab believes they can escape the reach of the law simply by leaving the country.
He also targeted previous governments in Punjab. Pannu claimed that gangsterism increased significantly in the state between 2007 and 2017. He also questioned the record of the Congress government, alleging that sufficient action was not taken during that period to dismantle criminal networks.
Highlighting the current government’s policy, Pannu said special attention has been given to modernising the Punjab Police. Police personnel have been provided with advanced technology, improved equipment and necessary resources. According to him, these measures are intended to make the monitoring of criminals and enforcement action more effective.
Baltej Pannu also criticised the opposition, alleging that opposition parties were ignoring the government’s action against gangsters and organised crime while focusing on political issues.
The Punjab government has maintained that its campaign against drugs and gangsterism will continue. The action to bring gangsters hiding abroad back to India is being described as an important part of this broader crackdown on organised crime.
