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 cops continue to try to arrest ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief and Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh. An official statement from the Punjab government said that mobile internet services will remain suspended in Punjab till 12 pm on March 21.
The state authorities had on Saturday suspended the internet and SMS services till Sunday noon, which was then extended till Monday 12 pm.
The broadband services are not being suspended so that banking facilities, hospital services and other essential services are not disrupted, the order issued by the additional chief secretary read.
A manhunt is currently on to nab radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh.
Mobile internet in Punjab was suspended after crackdown against Amritpal Singh
The Punjab government had on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal Singh and arrested 78 members of his group, Waris Punjab De, header by him. The pro-Khalistan leader, however, gave the police a slip and escaped their dragnet when his cavalcade was intercepted in the Jalandhar district.
As the operation went underway, authorities stepped up security at several places and suspended internet and SMS services in the state.
78 arrested after mega crackdown against Waris Punjab de#AmritpalSingh fugitive, Police teams are on manhunt
Nine weapons including 8 rifles, one revolver recovered during operation
Situation is under control, citizens requested to not to believe in rumours
— Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) March 18, 2023
Security has been tightened at many places in Punjab with intensive vehicle checking.
Earlier last month, Amritpal Singh and his supporters — some of them brandishing swords and guns — broke through barricades and barged into the Ajnala Police Station on the outskirts of the Amritsar city, clashing with police for the release of one of Amritpal’s aides.
After the incident, in which six policemen including a Superintendent of Police rank officer had suffered injuries, the Mann-led government in the state had faced severe flak and was accused of kowtowing to extremists.
Dubai-returned Amritpal Singh was last year anointed the head of ‘Waris Punjab De’which was founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident in February last year.
(With agency inputs)