Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday termed the sacrilege incidents in the past a part of a “deep-rooted conspiracy” aimed at disturbing the communal harmony of the state.The CM said the inclusion of provisions to tackle desecration incidents in the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act would ensure stricter punishment to the culprits.The amendments to the 2008 Act were passed at a special Assembly session on April 13, providing life imprisonment and fine up to Rs 25 lakh for involvement in such acts.According to official data, the state has witnessed 597 sacrilege incidents since 2015, with conviction only in 44 cases. The first sacrilege case in recent times had taken place at Bargari in 2015, followed by firing incidents at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura. The SAD-BJP ruled the state at that time.Rs 177-cr projects for BatalaMann made the remarks addressing a rally after announcing development projects worth Rs 177 crore for Batala. Key initiatives included the construction of new bridges and a modern bus stand.He described the projects a “decisive break from the past”, accusing previous Akali and Congress governments of having “plundered” the state.Mann also targeted the SAD, accusing its leaders of being disconnected from public concerns and prioritising family interests. He alleged that previous regimes patronised “drug networks and systematically weakened state institutions”.Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who was present at the event, called upon people to safeguard democratic values.