Security services suspect that Khalistani heir Punjab division leader Amritpal Singh, promoted on social media as Bhindranwale 0.2, receives funding from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
The incident took place days after Punjab De supporters of Amritpal Singh’s heir and the Punjab Police fought in Ajnala over the custody of Singh’s close aide Lovepreet Singh Toofan.
Police barricades set up outside Ajnala police station were broken by supporters brandishing swords and firearms. In addition, the protesters shielded themselves with the holy book of Guru Granth Sahib.
For failing to take any action against Amritpal Singh in the Ajnala tragedy, the Punjab government is drawing criticism from some religious groups, including the Congress and the Dumdami Taksal.
A commission to investigate the Ajnala incident, in which the Guru Granth Sahib was taken to the Ajnala police station, has also been constituted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).