Punjab DGP: Only red-flagged potential for mischief
Chandigarh, February 22
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta has expressed shock and outrage over his remarks on the Kartarpur corridor at a media event being misunderstood or wilfully misconstrued. “I only red-flagged the obvious ‘potential’ for misuse by elements notorious for their hostility towards India and their effort to exploit every opportunity, even the most pious one, to disturb peace and communal harmony”, he explained.
In a statement, the DGP said: “I rejoiced at the opening of Sri Kartarpur Sahib corridor, fulfilling the decades-old aspirations of millions of devotees like myself all over the world who profess their faith in Guru Nanak Dev ji and his divine teachings.”
He said the government and its agencies, including the police, worked with devotion and commitment to successfully observe the historic event. “We will continue to strive to work towards facilitating trouble-free access to the holy shrine”. He said that his remarks strictly pertained to the security and safety of Punjab and India.
“There was absolutely no reference to any religion or community but simply that some anti-national elements based in hostile neighbourhood could misuse and exploit this opportunity and ‘we’ need to be vigilant to such potential dangers in the interest of peace and security of the people. I was present there when the first pilgrim crossed the border at Dera Baba Nanak to visit Sri Kartarpur Sahib in November 2019. In four months since, the Punjab Police have facilitated 51,000 devotees,” the DGP said. — TNS
