As rumours about the kala kachha gang refused to die down, the Punjab Government on Thursday made it clear that the people behind it would be “brought to book”.
Maintaining that there was “no such gang”, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal assured the people that these were nothing but the rumors spread by mischievous elements to cause a scare among the people and give a bad name to the administration.
“The Punjab Government is determined and will bring to book the culprits behind spreading rumors about the activities of so-called kale kachche wala gang in the State,” said Sukhbir while interacting with the media after launching police helpline.
Sukhbir, who also holds the portfolio of the Home Minister, stated that sending messages on mobiles to spread any information has become very easy these days, and “by sending such SMSes, some people are indulging in mischief activities”.
The SMSes about the kala kachha gang are doing the rounds, especially in the rural areas of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Tarn Taran districts following which the villagers have increased the night vigil, or what they call thikri pehras.
In some cases, the night watchmen had thrashed innocent people besides attacking police parties at certain places. Considering this, the same has been asked to discontinue, as “it causes unnecessary confrontation”, said Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini.
Not even a single incident of robbery involving any organised gang has been reported anywhere in the State so far.
Referring to Mohali police claimed of busting a six-member ‘Kale Kachche Wale’ gang couple of days ago, Sukhbir replied that it was yet to be verified. “The scare among the people is so high these days that even the ordinary incidents are being attributed to the kale kachche wale gang,” he added.
Saini stated that all SMSes were rumors and had been found to be baseless. “Police parties led by SHOs have been sent to various villages to instill confidence among the villagers and to reassure them about their security,” he added.
Sukhbir terms Canada’s response ‘unfortunate’
Ajitgarh: A day after Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal cancelled his official visit to Canada in the wake of Canadian Government’s refusal to provide him security, he described the development as “unfortunate”.
“It is very unfortunate that the Canadian Government has declined to take responsibility for security because of protocol,” he added. Badal, who is also the chief of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), said: “I was going to Canada. The Government of India and the Canadian Government has clearly written to Punjab Government that we cannot provide you security and protocol.” “I am heading a Government and if the Government of that country says we do not provide protocol and security then it’s not right. We are not begging them to go. As a head of the state when their ministers come, their people come we provide them with full protocol and security,” said Sukhbir, who was scheduled to visit Canada on September 18.