In a firm response to threats issued by the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group, the Punjab Police has labeled designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun a “fugitive hiding abroad like a scared mouse.” The statement comes after several schools in Patiala received emails allegedly from SFJ, urging them to refrain from participating in Republic Day celebrations.
The Punjab Police has implemented a revised strategy to counter threats posed by Pannun and other gangsters or terrorists operating from foreign soil. In a video message released on social media, Patiala DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu addressed the issue, accusing Pannun of misleading youth by promising financial rewards and foreign settlement opportunities in exchange for anti-national activities.
“Pannun is scared of the Punjab Police and that is why he is hiding in the US. He is a wanted criminal, and very soon, we will bring him here and you will see him sitting like a criminal in a police canter,” Sidhu said. He also accused Pannun of deceiving people in the US by offering fraudulent immigration deals in exchange for acts such as painting pro-Khalistan graffiti in Punjab.
The police response came following a high-level meeting led by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav with senior state officers. The meeting focused on combating the propaganda and threats issued by Pannun and his banned outfit via social media.
Police have intensified security arrangements across the state, particularly in Patiala, where Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is set to unfurl the Tricolour at the Republic Day event in Polo Ground. The venue for the celebration was moved to Patiala after pro-Khalistan graffiti was discovered at a stadium in Faridkot, the previously planned location for the ceremony. The SFJ had claimed responsibility for the act.
Patiala SSP Nanak Singh reassured the public that elaborate security measures have been put in place to ensure a smooth and secure Republic Day celebration. Similarly, in Amritsar, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed that he had requested additional precautions from local authorities in light of the threats.
Faridkot has seen a rise in pro-Khalistan graffiti, with messages scrawled across a flyover at the city’s entrance earlier this week. These incidents have heightened security concerns, prompting the Punjab Police to ramp up surveillance and deploy additional forces at key locations.
The police have dismissed these threats as hollow attempts by groups like SFJ to raise funds for their divisive agenda. In their video message, officials urged people to stay united and not to fall prey to false promises. As the state prepares to celebrate Republic Day, authorities are ensuring that public safety remains a top priority.
The Punjab Police’s stern stance against Pannun and his associates underscores its commitment to maintaining law and order in the face of rising challenges.
