NEW DELHI: Indian police are searching for separatist Sikh leader Amritpal Singh who has revitalized calls for an independent Sikh motherland, rousing fears of violence in Punjab state where there’s a history of bloody uprising and insurgency.
Police have accused Singh, a 30-year-old preacher, and his fellows of creating disharmony in the state, which is haunted by the reminiscences of an armed insurgency and struggle in the 1980s for an independent Sikh homeland called Khalistan. According to AP, the insurgency had provoked a controversial military operation by India that killed thousands of people.
Sukhchain Singh Gill, the IG police for Punjab, said that thousands of paramilitary troops have been deployed in the state of Punjab while officials also suspended mobile internet services in many parts to prevent unrest. He claimed that police have arrested as many as 154 supporters of Amritpal Singh, and seized ammunition and guns. Amritpal Singh has been reportedly on the run since the hunt for him started on Saturday.
Separatist Sikh Leader Amritpal Singh
Amritpal Singh said he supports the Khalistan movement and he captured national and international attention in February when hundreds of his fellows and supporters attacked a police station in Punjab with guns and swords to demand the release of a jailed supporter.
Amritpal Singh for years drove a truck in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sindh emerged in 2022 in Punjab and started leading marches and rallies calling for protecting of the rights of the Sikh population, who account for around 1.7 percent of India’s population, AP reported.
Singh’s speeches have become gradually popular among supporters and followers of the Khalistan movement in India. India sees it as a national security threat. Even though the movement has diminished over the years, it still has support in Punjab and outside including in countries like the UK, and Canada, which are home to a good-sized Sikh diaspora.
154 supporters of Amritpal Singh arrested: Police
On Sunday, supporters of the Khalistan movement dragged down the Indian flag at the Indian high commission in London and shattered the building’s window in a show of annoyance against the move to arrest Amritpal Singh. Reports said that on Wednesday, Indian police removed security barricades in front of the British High Commission in New Delhi, India. However, there was no comment from the Indian government or police whether it was in reprisal to the episode in London. Similarly, the supporters of the Khalistan movement also damaged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, US on Monday.
Amritpal Singh says to draw inspiration from Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Bhindranwale, his supporters, and his fellows were killed in 1984 by the Indian army when they (Indian army) attacked the Golden Temple, the holiest site in the Sikh religion.
Amritpal Singh also leads Waris Punjab De (Punjab’s Heirs) an association that was part of a huge drive to assemble farmers against controversial agriculture reforms being introduced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. The protest demonstration ended following Indian government withdrew the controversial legislation in November 2021.
