Pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh’s show of strength in Amritsar put Punjab Police on backfoot

A massive clash broke out in Amritsar on Thursday between police and supporters of Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh. Demonstrators carrying guns and swords barged into the Ajnala police station demanding the release of Lovepreet Toofan, a close aide of Amritpal Singh.

They asked the Punjab Police to quash the FIR lodged against Amritpal Singh and his supporters and also threatened to continue their protest indefinitely.

Amritpal Singh, who returned from Dubai, heads the organization ‘Waris Punjab De’ founded by late actor and activist Deep Sidhu, who died in a road accident in February last year.

Self-styled godman Amritpal Singh and his supporters were booked for allegedly abducting and thrashing Varinder Singh, a resident of Chamkaur Sahib in Rupnagar district.

Amritpal Singh had reportedly recently threatened Union Home Minister Amit Shah that he would meet the fate of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Amritpal Singh along with hundreds of his supporters starts the protest march from his native village Jallupur Kheda towards Ajnala in Amritsar. Earlier, Amritpal Singh had appealed to his supporters to reach Ajnala in large numbers. In a social media address, he claimed that the police had detained several of his supporters at various places.

The protesters reached Ajnala and clashed with the police. The police appealed for peace and asked the protesters not to break the barricades. Despite warnings, Amritpal Singh and his supporters climbed the barricades.

Amritpal Singh and his supporters entered Ajnala police station. A total of six policemen including a DSP were injured. The protesters started the prayer.

Amritpal Singh threatened the police of consequences if he did not release his colleague. He further alleged that the FIR was registered with political objectives.

Policemen posted at Ajnala police station hold a meeting with Amritpal Singh, after which they agree to release Lovepreet Toofan on Friday based on the evidence provided by Singh and his supporters.

After the assurance of the police, the protesters left the police station. They enter a nearby gurudwara, where they hold out until Lovepreet Toofan is released.