Hunt for Amritpal Singh result in suspension of SMS and Mobile Internet in Punjab
As the hunt to arrest Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh is underway, the Punjab government on Monday extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services till Tuesday noon March 21. Meanwhile, the radical preachers uncle and driver have surrendered before the police in Jalandhar.
Further, the security has also been beefed up around the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom and Scotland Yard detained one person in connection with vandalism at the mission by Khalistan supporters.
Amritpal Singh Background
The 30-year-old family is from Jallupur Khera in Punjab’s Amritsar district. His family reportedly runs a transport business in Dubai and Amritpal had been staying there since 2012. During the year-long farmers protest against the centres now-repealed farm laws, Amritpal travelled to India and joined the agitation. Later, he returned. Punjabi actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu, who was arrested over the farmers protest at Red Fort on January 26, 2021, founded Waris Punjab De after he was granted bail.
Reasons for Singh’s way to gain attention
Singh’s supporters often compare him with Bhindranwale, whom he calls an inspiration. In his speeches, Singh emulates Bhindranwale and his hardline views – openly calling for a separate state for Sikhs, claiming it to be the only permanent solution to Punjab’s problems, from water disputes to drug addiction to the erosion of Punjabi culture.
Punjab, known as Indias bread basket, is still a relatively well-off state. But experts say a persistent unemployment problem and farming crisis have shrunk the states social and economic standing. With the governing Bharatiya Janata Party’s supporters clamouring for a Hindu nation, some Sikhs feel the need for a leader who talks about the injustices done to them and could represent their interests and problems, Prof Ashutosh says. Prof Khalid Mohammad, also from Panjab University, says that social media has played a significant role in Singh’s popularity as it allowed him to connect with the masses easily. In November, Singh led a month-long religious procession across the state to encourage Sikhs to become baptised go through the Amrit ceremony, forgo drug consumption – a serious problem in Punjab – and ditch customs such as dowry and caste-based discrimination.
Cases Filed Against Amritpal Singh
The six criminal cases registered against Waris Punjab De includes charges of creating disharmony, obstruction to police perosnnel and attack on police personnel, Gill said. So far, 114 elements who attempted to disturb peace and harmony, have been rounded up and arrested. 78 of them were arrested on the first day, 34 on day 2, and two others were arrested last night. 10 weapons recovered, he added. According to the IGP, foreign funding appears the main source of funding. He said they received funding in small amounts.
On February 24, a case was filed against Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh and many of his supporters for storming the Ajnala Police station. Singh and his supporters were seen brandishing swords and weapons inside a police station, clashing with cops for the release of one of their fellow preachers.
The man who filed the complaint said that he was kidnapped and threatened by Amritpal, who knew the details of his family members and threatened to kill him if he posted anything against their group on social media. In November 2022, Amritpal Singh was also placed under house arrest in Moga keeping in mind the law and order situation in the area after the murder of Shiv Sena Taksali leader Sudhir Suri outside a temple in Amritsar.
Items discovered at Singh’s House
The bulletproof jackets and rifles that have been recovered and the gate of the house of the chief Amritpal Singh had AKF written on them. There was an attempt to form a Jathebandi called Anandpur Khalsa Fauj, the Punjab IG further mentioned. It was informed that four detainees were sent to Assams Dibrugarh after custody. They are Daljeet Kalsi, Basant Singh, Gurmeet Singh Bhukhanwala and Bhagwant Singh.
Suspension Of the SMS and Mobile Internet service Continues
Meanwhile, suspension of mobile internet services was extended till tomorrow in the state, said Department of Home Affairs Justice, Government of Punjab. All mobile internet services, all SMS services except banking and mobile recharge and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice calls, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall be further suspended from 2032023 to 2132023, read the order. The absconding Khalistani leaders uncle and driver surrendered before the police on Sunday night, said Jalandhar Senior Superintendent of Police Swarndeep Singh this morning.
The police have also recovered. 32 bore pistol and 1 lakh rupees from Amritpal’s uncle Harjeet Singh. As per ABP Sanjha, his uncle is in talks with a DIG-level officer for negotiating Amritpals surrender. Waris De Punjabs legal advisor Imaan Singh Khara has claimed the radical leader has been arrested by Punjab Police in Shahkot and alleged that the Police wanted to kill Amritpal in a fake encounter.
Statement of CM
Amid the ongoing crackdown against Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh carried out by the Punjab Police, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that those who will try to disturb peace in the state will be severely dealt with. On Saturday, the Punjab government launched a major crackdown against Waris Punjab De chief.
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