Amritsar Top Cop Removed After Jantar Mantar Remarks, BJP Reacts
Amritsar cop removed after remarks, BJP questions timing.
The transfer of Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar has triggered a political debate after it came days following his remarks about an alleged terror module investigation linked to Pakistan-based handlers. The Punjab government clarified that Bhullar's comments had been selectively edited to create a false impression that those arrested in the case were connected with protesters at Jantar Mantar.
The Amritsar commissionerate had recently announced the arrest of nine people, including four minors, and the recovery of three pistols, nine live cartridges and four petrol bottle bombs. Police claimed that the accused were allegedly acting on the instructions of foreign-based ISI handlers and were involved in surveillance of security installations.
The matter gained attention after Bhullar, during a briefing on August 4, said the investigation had revealed that some of the arrested individuals had visited Jantar Mantar, carried out reconnaissance and allegedly planned to target protesters using petrol bombs. His remarks led to discussions over whether the alleged terror plot had any connection with the demonstrations held at the Delhi protest site.
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The Punjab government later issued a clarification stating that the police commissioner had not claimed that the arrested individuals were participants in the Jantar Mantar protests or that the protesters had any association with the alleged terror module. The government said selective editing of the remarks had created a "wrongful impression" regarding the connection between the accused and the protesters.
Bhullar's transfer shortly after the controversy has raised questions about the timing of the administrative decision. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Punjab government linking the transfer to the police commissioner's remarks or the controversy surrounding the briefing.
The development has also taken a political turn, with Opposition leaders questioning the decision. Critics of the Punjab government have previously alleged that Bhullar was close to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), while BJP leaders have raised questions over whether his remarks about the alleged Jantar Mantar plot contributed to the transfer. Former Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu questioned the timing of the move, but the government has not provided a reason for the transfer so far.
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