The Punjab government on Friday transferred Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, two days after his remarks during a press conference on an alleged Pakistan-backed ISI terror module triggered a political controversy over references to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest.
Bhullar, a 2004-batch IPS officer, has not been assigned a new posting. DIG Harmanbir Singh has been given an additional charge as Amritsar Police Commissioner.
The controversy began on August 4, when Punjab Police announced the busting of two alleged ISI-backed cross-border terror modules and the arrest of nine people, including four juveniles.
Police said the accused were allegedly acting at the behest of Pakistan-based handlers to recruit local youth, procure illegal weapons and carry out activities aimed at disturbing public peace.
During the press briefing, Bhullar said one of the alleged modules had travelled to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, conducted reconnaissance and was tasked by its Pakistan-based handlers to disturb peace using petrol bombs. He, however, also clarified that the accused were not participants in the protest being held at Jantar Mantar.
The remarks sparked a political controversy, as several BJP leaders questioned the alleged presence of anti-national elements at the protest site.
The demonstrations had also received support from Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including party convener Arvind Kejriwal, senior leader Manish Sisodia and Punjab minister Harjot Singh Bains.
PUNJAB POLICE ISSUES CLARIFICATION
On August 6, Punjab Police issued an official clarification, stating that edited clips of Bhullar’s press conference had been circulated on social media with misleading captions.
The police said the Commissioner’s remarks had been taken out of context and reiterated that the arrested accused were not part of the protest. Instead, investigators alleged that they had conducted reconnaissance of the site and planned to target protesters using petrol bombs.
The force also said legal action would be initiated against those responsible for circulating misleading content.
According to police sources, the controversy could have been avoided had the remarks during the press conference been worded more carefully, as they created an impression that was later clarified by the department.
POLITICAL PARTIES ENGAGE IN WAR OF WORDS
While the Aam Aadmi Party has described Bhullar’s transfer as a routine administrative exercise, the BJP has questioned the timing of the decision.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu alleged that the transfer was linked to the Commissioner’s disclosures at the August 4 press conference, while Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said transfers were the prerogative of the government and declined to comment further.
The Punjab government has not officially stated the reason for Bhullar’s transfer.
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