New Delhi: The Bhagwant Mann-led government on Monday (March 20, 2023) again extended the suspension on all mobile internet, SMS and dongle services in Punjab as police intensified their efforts to nab ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief and Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh. The campaign continued. An official order of the Punjab government states that mobile internet services will remain suspended in Punjab till 12 noon on March 21.
The state authorities had earlier suspended internet and SMS services till Sunday afternoon on Saturday, which was later extended till 12 noon on Monday.
Broadband services are not being suspended so that banking facilities, hospital services and other essential services are not disrupted, the official order read.
Currently raiding Radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh,
Punjab Police is working within the ambit of law.#Amritpal Singh Still absconding and not arrested yet.
Don’t believe in rumors and fake news.
All citizens are requested to maintain peace and harmony and not panic. pic.twitter.com/BdHRAeVEit– Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) March 19, 2023
Mobile internet was shut down in Punjab after action against Amritpal Singh
In a major action against Amritpal Singh, the Punjab government on Saturday arrested 78 members of his gangster heir Punjab De. However, the pro-Khalistan leader dodged the police and escaped the police trap when his convoy was intercepted in Jalandhar district.
As the operation got underway, the authorities beefed up security at several places and suspended internet and SMS services in the state.
Security has been tightened at several places in Punjab with intensive vehicle checking.
Early last month, Amritpal Singh and his supporters – some of them brandishing swords and guns – broke through barricades and stormed the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar city, clashing with police for the release of an aide of Amritpal. Entered.
Following the incident, in which six policemen, including a Superintendent of Police rank officer, sustained injuries, the Mann-led government in the state came under severe criticism and was accused of kneeling down to extremists.
Amritpal Singh, who returned from Dubai, was made the head of ‘Waris Punjab De’ last year.It was founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu, who died in a road accident in February last year.
Amritpal Singh’s uncle and driver surrendered in Jalandhar
Earlier in the day, police said that Amritpal Singh’s uncle and driver had surrendered before them in Jalandhar.
Jalandhar’s Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Swarnadeep Singh said that Amritpal’s uncle Harjit Singh and driver Harpreet Singh surrendered late on Sunday night near a gurudwara in Mehatpur area.
He said that the Khalistan supporter is still absconding.
Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh’s uncle and driver surrendered before Punjab Police last night
Photos of Nakodar police station of Jalandhar district. pic.twitter.com/ldNyiGs04C– ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023
Police also conducted flag marches and searches across Punjab on Sunday Search for radical preacher Amritpal SinghArrested 34 more supporters and detained four people and sent them to jail in distant Assam.
A flag march was taken out by the Malerkotla police to ensure peace, mutual brotherhood and law and order in the district and the public was appealed not to believe any kind of rumours.#YourSafetyOur Priority #flag march pic.twitter.com/DWqRwYnsZO
Malerkotla Police (@MalerkotlaPol) March 19, 2023
Flag march was taken out by Patiala Police to maintain law and order situation in the district and prevent any untoward incident.#SafePunjab #Your safety is our priority pic.twitter.com/B1VvJbjN38— Patiala Police (@PatialaPolice) March 19, 2023
(with agency inputs)