CHANDIGARH: AAP leader and Punjab minister Aman Arora on Saturday said the first-ever extradition of a gangster from Europe marks the Bhagwant Mann government’s uncompromising stand against gangsterism.His statement came as the Punjab Police secured the extradition of a key operative of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang from the Republic of Moldova.Amritpal Singh, alias Amrit Dalam, wanted in multiple cases of murder, attempt to murder, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), was extradited from Moldova.While the previous Akali-BJP and Congress governments “allowed” gangsterism to flourish, the AAP government pursued such fugitives across borders and ensured they are brought back to face the law, he further said.Stating that the AAP government left no stone unturned to eradicate drugs and gangsterism from Punjab, he said it will not allow such elements to operate either from Punjab or from foreign soil.The Punjab Police’s Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC), established on January 20, has already secured the deportation or extradition of 10 wanted fugitives in seven months, while 21 more extradition proposals are pending with the central government.Speaking to reporters here, Arora said the situation during the previous governments had reached such a stage that gangsterism had become a major issue even inside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.Referring to the records of the 2021 Budget Session, Arora said Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia had openly argued with each other over alleged links of political leaders with gangsters.The AAP Punjab chief said that as police intensified action against such elements, many fugitives, hardcore criminals and gangsters fled abroad.He said the AAP government’s objective was to ensure that criminals sitting abroad could not disturb Punjab’s peace and security.
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The minister said 10 wanted criminals have now been brought back to India through deportation or extradition, while 21 extradition proposals are pending with the central government.“The extradition process involves the state police sending proposals to the central government, which coordinates with the ministry of external affairs and ministry of home affairs for bringing the fugitives back from foreign countries,” he added.