Baltej Pannu, Media In-charge of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, stated on Tuesday that the Bhagwant Mann government’s rigorous campaign against drugs and gangsters has extended the battle beyond Punjab’s borders.
The Punjab Police has brought back over a dozen gangsters from across the globe; a recent instance involves Karamvir Dev—a close associate of Lawrence Bishnoi—who was apprehended at Delhi Airport after being deported from Canada.
Pannu noted that the Mann government has modernized the Punjab Police—equipping them with high-tech tools and superior gear to prevent crime and pursue gangsters—across locations ranging from the US, Dubai, and Malaysia to Moldova. This sends a clear message: no gangster involved in crime in Punjab can consider any corner of the world a safe haven.
Addressing the Media
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “Since assuming power, the Bhagwant Mann government has prioritized the fight against drugs and gangsters. We have taken decisive action to dismantle active criminal networks within Punjab and have actively pursued gangsters who fled abroad.”
Targeting the opposition, the AAP Media In-charge remarked, “The opposition has nothing to offer the people of Punjab; consequently, they repeatedly raise issues to malign the government while ignoring the actions being taken against organized crime.”
Pannu added that Punjab’s history shows a significant surge in gangsterism during the 2007–2017 period. He said, “If we look at the history of gangsterism in Punjab, the phenomenon saw a significant rise between 2007 and 2017. That was the period when the term ‘gangster’ became part of Punjab’s identity and public discourse.”
He noted that the situation remained unchanged during the 2017–2022 Congress government’s tenure. He said, “Instead of dismantling these networks, the Congress government brought a gangster from Uttar Pradesh to a Punjab jail and provided him with VIP facilities. The Uttar Pradesh government had to approach the Supreme Court to secure his return.”
**Sustained action against gangsters: Baltej Pannu**
Contrasting this with the approach of the Bhagwant Mann government, Baltej Pannu said, “We have changed this approach. The Punjab Police initiated sustained action against gangsters and continued to pursue them even after they fled abroad. Thanks to the persistent efforts of the Punjab Police, more than a dozen gangsters have been brought back from abroad so far.”
He mentioned that the gangsters brought back include Sachin Bishnoi, Manpreet Singh (alias Peeta), Ramanjit Singh (alias Romi), Parminder Singh (alias Pindi), Anmol Bishnoi, Amritpal (alias Mehro), Gurvinder Singh, and Jobandeep Singh (alias Joban Billa).
Baltej Pannu said, “Anmol Bishnoi, considered a major gangster and a close associate of Lawrence Bishnoi, was brought back from the US. Amritpal (alias Mehro)—accused of murdering an Instagram influencer before fleeing abroad—was brought from Dubai. Gurvinder Singh was brought back from Malaysia.”
He added, “Two days ago, the AGTF team brought gangster Amritpal (alias Amrit Dhallam) back from Moldova. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met the team and commended their efforts.” Process for Karamvir Dev’s return completed: Baltej Pannu
Baltej Pannu stated that the process of bringing back another major gangster, Karamvir Singh—alias Karamvir Dev (Dev)—to Punjab has been completed. He said, “Karamvir Singh, alias Karamvir Dev (also known as Dev), is a close associate of Lawrence Bishnoi. He has been deported from Canada, and following his arrest at Delhi Airport, the AGTF team is bringing him to Punjab.”
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Baltej Pannu remarked, “This demonstrates the Mann government’s firm resolve that no gangster involved in crime in Punjab can consider any part of the world a safe haven.”
Emphasizing the strengthening of the Punjab Police, he said, “The Punjab government has made the Punjab Police robust and modern. This goes beyond merely providing better vehicles; we have equipped our personnel with advanced technology and equipment.”
