Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has commended the state’s police force following the arrest of two suspects, allegedly linked to the Khalistan Liberation Force, by Amritsar Rural police in connection with the murder of Italy-based NRI Malkit Singh. The case, which received special attention due to its cross-border angle, got a major breakthrough with the arrest of the accused, believed to be connected to overseas gangsters.
Updates in the high-profile case
The victim, Malkit Singh, was an NRI from Italy and had family in Punjab. He was not known to anyone in the community and was involved in a fight related to extortion and gang involvement, according to reports. His murder sent waves through the NRI community, causing fear and concern for safety and concern about expanding international criminal networks.
Police say the arrests both break the case and provide further illumination of operational links between local accomplices and handlers from overseas. Prior to the attack, initial investigations have demonstrated the significance of a potential KLF-backed module in executing the attack.
CM Mann Commends Swift Action
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann congratulated the Punjab Police publicly, saying that the quick arrests are reflective of the government’s commitment towards dismantling organized crime. He noted that the rural police teams worked “with precision and discipline”, adding that the crackdown on extremist-linked gangs will continue.
Mann reiterated that his administration would not let Punjab become a playground for foreign-based operatives who attempt to exploit local networks for target-oriented violence.
NRI Community Relieved as Probe Progresses
The arrests are seen as a source of relief for the Punjabi diaspora, particularly in Europe. A number of NRI bodies have been pressing the state government for more decisive action against extortion threats linked to the gangs, many of which come from abroad. The Punjab Police have said that they will continue to coordinate with national and international agencies in neutralizing such modules before they can carry out more target attacks.
