Pune, 18th March 2023
Internet and messaging services have been suspended across Punjab as the police launched an operation against Khalistani leader and chief of "Waris Punjab De" Amritpal Singh on 18th March 2023. The radical Sikh was active in the last few weeks after his supporters indulged in a clash with the police at the Ajnala police station located on the outskirts of Amritsar. According to reports, the fight has allegedly broken out due to the demanded release of one of Amritpal’s aides.
Internet and messaging services have been suspended till Sunday with the police detaining Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh. In a statement by the Punjab government, the shutdown of these services is for public safety reasons. In an official statement by the Department of Home Affairs and Justice of Punjab, it was stated “All mobile internet services, all SMS services (except banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice call, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall be suspended from 18th March (12:00 Hours) to 19th March (12:00 Hours) in the interest of public safety.”
There is no confirmation about a police action yet. The police detained six of his supporters but Amritpal Singh managed to escape. A video has also emerged on social media with Amritpal Singh in a vehicle surrounded by his supporters. One of his aides can be heard saying that the police were after ‘Bhai Sahab’ (Amritpal). He and his supporters, with swords and guns, broke through barricades and entered the Anjala Police Station which is located on the outskirts of Amritsar. The clash with the police was to demand the release of one of Amritpal’s aides.
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