NEW DELHI: Concerned over the Ajnala incident in Punjab – during which radical Sikh leader Amritpal Singh and his supporters, armed with swords and guns, had barged into a police station to demand the release of his aide accused of kidnapping – and similar attempts by pro-Khalistan forces to whip up separatist sentiments in the state, home minister Amit Shah on Thursday met Bhagwant Mann and emphasised upon the need to firmly deal with such elements.
The meeting with Mann came a day after Shah’s meeting with Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit. Similar concerns are known to have been raised by Shah with the governor.
Sources said that Shah expressed his displeasure over handling of the Ajnala incidents and alleged failure by the Punjab police to stand up to pressure from unruly supporters of Amritpal Singh. Mann tweeted after meeting Shah that “Centre-Punjab will work together on the issue of law and order”.