Punjab Police have begun a crackdown against alleged Khalistani separatists in the region, in response to the ongoing farmer protests. One of the main targets of the operation is Amritpal Singh, a self-proclaimed Khalistani sympathizer and leader of the Kisan Majdoor Sangharsh Committee. Singh was arrested on January 24th, following a high-speed car chase with police. Four of his associates were also detained and flown to Dibrugarh for questioning.
The crackdown comes after Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh received intelligence indicating that Khalistani groups were attempting to infiltrate the farmer protests, which have been ongoing since November 2020. The Khalistani movement seeks to create an independent Sikh state in Punjab, and has been associated with acts of terrorism in the past.
The police operation has been met with mixed responses. Some have praised the police for taking action against alleged separatists, while others have criticized the crackdown as an infringement on civil liberties. Akal Takht Jathedar, the highest temporal authority of the Sikh religion, has called for governments to refrain from creating an atmosphere of terror in response to the crackdown.
The situation remains fluid, with rumors circulating about Singh’s whereabouts and whether he has fled the country. Seven of his associates have been produced in court, and investigations into their involvement in alleged separatist activities are ongoing. The Punjab government has placed the state on high alert, and is closely monitoring the situation.
