Amid raids in Punjab, Home Minister Amit Shah urges for strict action against pro-Khalistan elements

New Delhi (India), March 19, 2023: The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, has reportedly summoned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to take strict action against the anti-national elements trying to provoke separatist sentiments.

The move comes after the Ajnala incident, where supporters of the pro-Khalistan outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’ clashed with uniformed personnel, demanding the release of one of its close aides, Lovepreet Toofan.

The Punjab Police are confident of arresting the fugitive outfit’s chief, Amritpal Singh, soon. The central agencies have been nudging the Punjab government for a long time to initiate police action against him. Amritpal Singh has allegedly threatened Shah with “a fate similar to that of Indira Gandhi” and Mann with “being on the path of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.”

Mann has met with both Shah and the Punjab governor on the issue. The Union home ministry has also ordered the deployment of 18 companies in Punjab for “aid of the state government during law and order duties.” The overall strength of these companies is around 19,000 personnel.

The police action came after Amritpal’s supporters stormed the Ajnala police station and clashed with the police, demanding Toofan’s release. Thousands of his supporters had gathered, flashing swords and high-caliber firearms. The police later released Toofan from jail on February 24, following the orders of a court in Ajnala on an application by the police.

Mann has alleged that these “1,000 people” are funded by Pakistan to disrupt peace in the state. The Punjab government has launched a major crackdown against Amritpal, with police arresting 78 members of his outfit.

As of Sunday morning, Amritpal Singh was still on the run, and the police were continuing their manhunt to arrest him.