Newspaper deliveries delayed in Punjab as police checks halt supply, residents fume

PTC News Desk: The distribution of newspapers were significantly delayed across various parts of Punjab on Sunday due to police checking of vehicles carrying the publications.

According to the reports, the police teams had received inputs about drug and weapon supplies. As a result, vehicles carrying newspapers from different printing centers were stopped and searched across the state. Dog squads were also called in at several places, and in some instances, vehicles were taken to police stations for detailed inspection. 

As a result the checking operation affected deliveries of newspapers. In cities like Ludhiana, Amritsar, Moga, Faridkot, Kotkapura, Pathankot, Fazilka, Abohar, and Barnala, residents did not receive their newspapers on time. Newspaper distributors and delivery agents were also reportedly upset by the delays.

Notably this is the first time that newspaper circulation has been affected. 

Special DGP Arpit Shukla said the exercise was aimed at crackdown against drugs and weapons that might being transported through publication vehicles, based on credible inputs. 

“There is no attempt to stop the circulation of newspapers. The vehicles and the drivers were released after thorough checking. The remainder would be in the process."

The development has triggered a political slugfest with several leaders criticising the action calling it an attack on freedom of press in Punjab. 

Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi condemned the police action against newspaper circulation calling the incident as undeclared emergency. 

Congress MLA from Jalandhar Cantt Pargat Singh, too, reacted on the situation. In a post on X, he wrote it was a direct attack on the freedom of press in Punjab. He claimed that the Bhagwant Mann government had reportedly conducted raids and blocked newspaper distribution across the state to prevent the news about Arvind Kejriwal staying at Punjab’s official House No. 50 from reaching the public.