Police Transfer – Punjab Moves Amritsar Commissioner Days After Terror Module Briefing
Police Transfer – The Punjab government has transferred Amritsar Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, just days after he addressed a media briefing on the police action against two alleged cross-border terror networks. The development comes amid political discussion over remarks attributed to Bhullar concerning the alleged plans of some arrested suspects in connection with Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Two alleged terror modules uncovered
Punjab Police had announced on Tuesday that it had dismantled two terror modules allegedly backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). According to the police, nine people were arrested during the operation, including four juveniles. Investigators also recovered arms and ammunition from those accused, the police said.
The arrests were presented by the Punjab Police as part of an investigation into alleged cross-border terror activities. The case subsequently drew wider attention after details from the police briefing began circulating on social media.
Jantar Mantar remarks spark controversy
During the press conference, Bhullar was reportedly understood to have said that some of the arrested suspects had travelled to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and carried out reconnaissance of the location. The alleged plan, according to the remarks attributed to him, involved targeting protesters with petrol bombs.
The comments quickly became a subject of political debate, particularly because of the reference to the protesters at Jantar Mantar. Questions were raised over whether the police had established any connection between the protesters and the alleged terror network.
Punjab government issues clarification
The state government subsequently moved to clarify the remarks. It said the police commissioner had not stated that the arrested suspects had participated in the protests. The government also made clear that Bhullar had not claimed that the protesters themselves had any links with the alleged terror module.
Parts of the press conference were circulated widely on social media. According to reports, edited clips gave the impression that the commissioner had directly connected the alleged terror operation with the protesters. The circulation of those clips added to the political controversy surrounding the police briefing.
Transfer draws political reaction
Bhullar’s transfer has now prompted questions from political leaders, particularly because it came only a few days after the press conference. Former Union minister Bittu reacted to the development on social media and questioned the timing of the government’s decision.
Bittu suggested that Bhullar’s statements about the alleged Jantar Mantar plot may have played a role in the transfer. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Punjab government that the commissioner’s remarks were connected to the decision.
DIG given additional responsibility
No official reason has been provided so far for Bhullar’s transfer. In the meantime, Harmanbir Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Amritsar Border Range, has been assigned additional responsibility as Amritsar Commissioner of Police.
Bhullar has been directed to report to the office of Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav until further orders. The government has not indicated how long the interim arrangement will remain in place.
The transfer comes as the investigation into the two alleged terror modules continues. Details concerning the accused, their alleged activities and the claims surrounding the Jantar Mantar reconnaissance remain part of the wider investigation. The controversy over the police briefing, meanwhile, has added a political dimension to the developments in the case.