Amidst the much hullabaloo over Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s demand of security withdrawal, the Punjab Police on Monday made it clear that it was ‘duty-bound’ to provide security cover to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief whenever he visits the State.
“Police is duty-bound to provide security to all the threatened persons who have been categorised by the State Government or the Government of India. We are duty bound to provide security,” said Punjab Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) VK Bhawra, who is also the nodal officer for Punjab election.
Kejriwal has shot off a communique to Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) VK Singh seeking withdrawal of police security provided to him and requesting to deploy the same for the people’s security.
In his letter, Kejriwal had said: “I have noticed during my tours of the state that a large number of police personnel are deployed for my security which in my view are not required. I want the withdrawal of the security provided to me.”
“Given the poor law and order situation of Punjab, all this security apparatus should be deployed for safety and security of people of the state…I request you to take a quick decision in this regard to restore the confidence of the people of the state during the crucial period of elections,” he had said in the letter.
He had also mentioned that the AAP candidates had already made it clear that they did not require security in the coming Assembly polls.
CEO SEEKS ECI’s ADVICE ON NRI CAMPAIGNING
On the issue whether NRIs could campaign for AAP, Punjab CEO VK Singh said that he has taken up the matter with the Election Commission in this regard.
“Nobody has been able to show any rule which prohibits NRIs from campaigning…We are still awaiting the advice from the Election Commission on this issue and in a day or two, some clarity may come," Singh said.
He added that the Commission has received such a complaint for the first time during Assembly polls.
Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh has urged the poll panel to send back the “outsiders” brought into Punjab by AAP during election time saying that it could disturb the State's peace and lead to violence.
AAP senior leader Sanjay Singh on January 19 had said that Punjabi NRIs from several countries would campaign in favour of AAP in upcoming Assembly polls to “save Punjab”. Reportedly, the NRIs in thousands are landing in the State in batches to campaign for their favourite political parties, with AAP holding a major share.
3.19 lAKH WEAPONS DEPOSITED
On the deposit of licensed weapons, Bhawra said that 3.19 lakh weapons have been deposited which make up to 85 per cent of total licensed arms in the State.
He said that 409 unlicensed weapons, including pistols, have been seized during checking of vehicles at several places in the State.
47 EC NOTICES FOR PAID NEWS
The Election Commission has issued 47 notices to suspected cases of paid news, in which 16 have been certified. “We have issued 47 notices to the political parties or candidates for paid news…out of the total 47 suspected cases, 16 have been certified so far, while 26 are still under process,” said Punjab CEO VK Singh.
He said that among the “certified” paid news cases are two by Congress’ Angad Singh, four by Congress’ Raja Amarinder Singh Warring, one by Congress’ Darshan Singh, one by Congress’ Bharat Bhushan Ashu, among others. “It’s only significance is that the expenditure would be added to the candidate’s account,” Singh clarified.
KHEMKARAN, FATEHGARH SAHIB WITH lOWEST NUMBER OF CANDIDATES
Among 1145 candidates in fray for 117 Assembly segments, Khemkaran and Fatehgarh Sahib have the lowest number with just five candidates trying their luck. Sanaour seat, on the other hand, has the maximum of 18 candidates.