Security agencies have gone into high-alert mode in view of the increased activity of separatist and anti-social elements plotting to disturb the peace ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Punjab. Following intelligence inputs received from the Punjab Police’s Intelligence Wing, the Commissionerate Police has issued directives to several prominent leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and various Hindu organizations in Ludhiana, urging them to remain vigilant. Senior police officials have personally contacted these leaders and, citing security concerns, advised them against visiting crowded areas alone or without a security detail. However, police officials have described this as a routine exercise.
Alert Issued for Key Leaders
According to sources, the leaders for whom the police administration has ordered special vigilance regarding security include senior RSS leader Yash Giri; Punjab BJP Treasurer and senior leader Gurdev Sharma Debi; Mahesh Dutt Sharma; Shiv Sena Punjab National Chairman Rajiv Tandon; Shiv Sena leader Gora Thapar; and Hindu leader Bhanu Pratap Singh, among other prominent figures. Acting on orders from senior officials, Station House Officers (SHOs) from the respective areas visited these leaders’ homes to personally assess security arrangements. The SHO of Police Station Division No. 4 personally inspected Shiv Sena leader Gora Thapar’s residence and instructed the deployed security team to maintain extra vigilance, especially during the night.
Police Commissioner Holds Video Conference; Strict Instructions for Gunmen
According to sources, clear instructions were issued during a special video conference held by the Police Commissioner with senior officials, stating that any lapse in security would not be tolerated. Security personnel have been strictly forbidden from leaving their assigned leaders unattended. Security staff are prohibited from leaving their posts or taking leave without prior permission or notification. A warning has been issued regarding immediate departmental and legal action against employees who fail to comply with orders.
**Received calls from the police and a home security check after a long time: Rajiv Tandon**
Rajiv Tandon, National Chairman of Shiv Sena Punjab, stated that while receiving threats is a routine occurrence for him, it has been a long time since police officials personally called and visited his home to conduct a formal security check. The police gathered details about all the security personnel deployed with him and issued strict instructions to the leaders not to step out without security and to completely avoid crowded events.
**Received a call on a festival day advising against entering crowds: Gurdev Sharma Debi**
Questioning this entire exercise, Punjab BJP Treasurer Gurdev Sharma Debi remarked that he had never received such calls before. On the morning of a major festival like Janmashtami, he began receiving calls from police officials advising him to avoid crowded places. He mentioned that Special Branch officers summoned him to gather information and advised him to keep his security personnel with him. Debi alleged that such warnings, issued just before the elections without disclosing specific intelligence inputs, are creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.
**No specific threat; this is merely a routine exercise: ADCP Rupinder Kaur Bhatti**
Amidst the stir among leaders and the security alert, the police administration has downplayed the possibility of any major threat. ADCP (Crime) Rupinder Kaur Bhatti clarified that there is no specific threat involved. She stated that this is a routine police security procedure conducted periodically to assess the city’s security and law-and-order situation. Periodically reviewing the security cover of protected leaders and issuing guidelines to deployed personnel is part of the department’s standard operating procedure.
