Chandigarh- The distribution of several newspapers was delayed in various parts of Punjab on Saturday as the police strictly checked the vehicles carrying newspaper supplies. Reports from Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur said that police teams stopped the newspaper delivery vans and conducted thorough searches. The police cited the suspicion that drugs and weapons were being transported for the searches.
When contacted, a senior Punjab Police officer in Chandigarh clarified that no specific order has been given to check the newspaper vehicles. Another officer said, “Based on some information, the local police can always conduct field checks but no guidelines have been issued to target newspaper delivery vehicles.” In Ahmedgarh near Ludhiana, people questioned on social media why the newspapers were not delivered.
Local resident Mahavir Goyal said that no newspaper had reached Mandi Ahmedgarh till 9 am on Sunday. This is probably the first time since the dark days of terrorism that the circulation of newspapers has been affected. Meanwhile, it has been claimed that newspapers have not reached people's homes in Amritsar, Faridkot and Muktsar.
In Patiala, vehicles carrying local language newspapers were strictly checked in the morning, but later they were allowed to pass. In the small towns of Samana and Patran, the supply of newspapers was affected and newspapers reached people's homes with delay. Vendors claimed that the police had meticulously checked the vehicles supplying newspapers, due to which the supply to shops was affected and newspapers reached people with delay.
Vehicles were checked after receiving input about smuggling of drugs and arms: DGP
On the other hand, Special DGP Arpit Shukla admitted that vehicles carrying newspapers have been stopped and strictly checked. Shukla said that he had input that these vehicles could be used for smuggling drugs and weapons. That is why these vehicles were stopped and searched. Shukla clarified that no attempt was made to stop the circulation of newspapers and the vehicles and drivers were released after thorough investigation.