What kind of news was CM Bhagwant Mann afraid might be published that his police stopped and searched newspaper delivery vehicles early in the morning?
The delivery of newspapers faced considerable delays in different areas of Punjab on Sunday because of police inspections of vehicles transporting the publications.
As per the reports, the police units had obtained information regarding drug and weapon distribution. Consequently, vehicles transporting newspapers from various printing locations were halted and inspected throughout the state. Dog units were summoned to various locations, and in certain cases, vehicles were brought to police stations for thorough examination.
Consequently, the verification process impacted the distribution of newspapers. In cities such as Ludhiana, Amritsar, Moga, Faridkot, Kotkapura, Pathankot, Fazilka, Abohar, and Barnala, residents did not receive their newspapers in a timely manner. Apparently, newspaper distributors and delivery agents were also not happy with the delays.
Significantly, this marks the first instance where newspaper circulation has been impacted.
Special DGP Arpit Shukla stated that the operation was intended to target drugs and weapons that could be moved using public vehicles, following reliable information.
“No effort is being made to halt the distribution of newspapers.” The drivers and vehicles were set free following a comprehensive inspection. “The rest would be in the process.”
The action has sparked a political battle with numerous leaders denouncing it as an assault on press freedom in Punjab.
Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi criticized the police response to newspaper distribution, deeming the occurrence an undeclared emergency.
Pargat Singh, the Congress MLA from Jalandhar Cantt, also responded to the situation. In a post on X, he stated it was a direct assault on press freedom in Punjab. He asserted that the Bhagwant Mann administration had allegedly carried out raids and hindered newspaper distribution statewide to stop information about Arvind Kejriwal residing at Punjab’s official House No. 50 from being disseminated to the public.
