The Punjab police, gearing up to arrest self-styled radical Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh, today detained six of his associates and deployed heavy police force in the Moga district. Internet has also been suspended across the state till 12 pm tomorrow. Sources says the state government waited for the G20 event to get over to initiate action against Amritpal Singh.
He leads "Waris Punjab De", a radical organisation started by actor and activist Deep Sidhu, who died in a road accident in February last year.
Sources said police personnel from seven district chased Amritpal Singh and his associates, and have surrounded him at Mehatpur village in Jalandhar's Shahkot. Police had had closed all roads and set up huge barricades in Shahkot as they had prior information of Amritpal Singh's visit. All roads in the village have been sealed.
The radical separatist leader is often seen escorted by armed supporters. He has been active for some time in Punjab.
Amritpal Singh was at the centre of a massive protest against the arrest of his key aide, kidnapping accused Lovepreet Singh. He blamed the Punjab Police for the violence in Amritsar during the protest.
Reacting to the police action, Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu said the man who "used to talk about taking up arms for Khalistan is today running away ffearing the police".
"Does a Sikh ever run away? He would have faced the police if he had courage. He is running around in the streets like a gidad (jackal). I used to say earlier, too, that he has come to get our children killed. He is a man of (intelligence) agencies," he said.
Amritpal Singh and his sympathisers had last month, carrying swords and guns, clashed with the police for the release of one of his aides in Ajnala near Amritsar. Six police personnel, including a Superintendent of Police rank officer, were injured during the clash.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur had earlier this month attacked the AAP government in Punjab, saying law and order "collapsed" in the state after the formation of "one government", and suggested it "wakes up" and takes some steps.
from NDTV News- Topstories https://ift.tt/rpU2uew
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