Punjab
Chandigarh/UNI: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday transferred top police officers in the Patiala range, comprising Inspector General of Police (IG), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Superintendent of Police (SP) with an immediate effect following communal clashes a day back in Patiala city.
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that Mukhwinder Singh Chinna has been appointed as new Patiala range IG while Deepak Parik and Wazir Singh are new SSP and SP of Patiala, respectively.
State Home Secretary Anurag Verma issued a notice on Saturday banning mobile internet and SMS services in the district from 9:30 am to 6 pm extending further Friday's probationary measures.
The mobile internet shutdown in the district was done to check spread of rumours following the Friday's clash between two groups leaving some injured.
The Deputy Commissioner and SSP have hinted towards a situation where data services could be grossly misused by certain unscrupulous elements, the order said and asked all telecom services providers in the state to ensure compliance to the order.
"There is a likelihood of tension, annoyance, obstruction or injury to persons, danger to human life and property, disturbance of public peace and tranquillity within the limits of Patiala district due to the recent law and order events," a government memo said.
The Kotwali police station officers arrested and expelled Shiv Sena leader Harish Singla for his involvement in the Friday clashes between two groups, who took out processions without prior notice from their respective places of worship and then clashed with policemen.
At least four people were injured, including a law officer.
All decisions on Saturday were implemented after Mann met the DGP and other senior officials on Friday evening.
Extremely annoyed by the violence, Mann terming the incident as "unfortunate", issued instructions that "no guilty should be spared". Mann on Friday ordered arrests of culprits at the earliest.
The DGP was directed to keep a close watch on the law and order situation. An FIR has been registered against the Pro-Khalistan elements in Patiala, and efforts were underway to identify the people using video footage.
There have been raids and searches at several locations. Singla, who tried to lead the 'Khalistan Murdabad March' in the city on Friday was arrested on Mann's order.
Many people were injured in fencing and stone pelting in the fierce clashes between the two groups regarding the anti-Khalistan march outside the Kali Mata temple in Patiala.
Tension quickly spread in the area and the police had to impose an all-night curfew.
Hindu organisations have announced Patiala Bandh on Saturday.
Following which, Section 144 was imposed in many districts and mobile-internet services stopped till 6 pm.
Majority of the shops in Patiala city on Saturday remained shut.
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