Amritsar/Chandigarh: Punjab police have launched a massive crackdown on Sikh activists ahead of Pathic Ekatarta (gathering) at Sri Amritsar today (17th of March).
The gathering was called by Waris Punjab De, an activists’ group launched by slain actor turned activist Deep Sidhu. The group is presently headed by Amritpal Singh, who is detained at Dibrugarh jail in Assam under National Security Act (NSA).
Activists Detained Across Punjab:
Acting on the directions of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab government, the Punjab police began its crackdown yesterday and raided the houses of various Panthic personalities, Sikh activists, leaders of Sikh groups. Those who were found in their houses were put under house detention.
As per reports emanating from across the Punjab, dozens of Sikh leaders have been put under house detention.
Panjaab Lawyers’ chief Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur told Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) that the Ludhiana police detained Panth Sewak personality Bhai Daljit Singh inside his house last afternoon.
A team of six police officials raided Bhai Daljit Singh house and informed him about government’s directions to put him under house arrest, Manjhpur told SSN.
Faridkot police raided the house of All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) leader Daler Singh Doad and put him under arrest.
In Sultanwind area of Amritsar, Sultanwind police raided the house of Sirlath Khalsa Jatha‘s chief Dilbagh Singh’s house and detained him in his house.
As per reports the Punjab police have also detained sociopolitical activist Lakha Sidhana in order to prevent him from participating in Amritsar Gathering called by WPD.
Gathering at Amritsar:
Despite crackdown, people in considerable numbers have reportedly gathered at Amritsar Panthic Gathering today.
Notably, the venue of gathering is situated at the main street leading to Darbar Sahib in Amritsar which is the most busiest place in the city and lakhs of people visit this place on weekends.
Appeal from Stage:
While conducting the state of the gathering, Sikh author Sukhpreet Singh Udoke issued and appeal on behalf of the organizers of the gathering, urging people stopped by the police on their way to Amritsar to avoid any kind of confrontation.
“We urge people stopped by the police on their way to Amritsar, to stay calm and lodge peaceful protest at those places where they are stopped. We do not want any kind of clash with the administration today”, he said.
Five NSA Sikh Detainees Have Ended Hunger Strike?
According to a news reported by senior journalist Jaswant Singh Jass, published in Daily Ajit, five of 10 Sikh detainees detained under National Security Act (NSA) at Dibrugarh jail in Assam have ended their hunger strike.
According to Daily Ajit, Kulwant Singh Raoke had ended his hunger strike on 9 March while Basant Singh had started taking meals from 11 March.
The report adds that Sarabjit Singh Kalsi, Gurinderpal Singh Aujala and Gurpreet Singh Gill ended their hunger strike on March 14.
The news report has cited undisclosed sources as the source of information; adding that the information was confirmed by Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar. Sikh Siyasat News could not independently verify this information till the time of publishing news.
Update – In a written release (copy available with Sikh Siyasat News), ‘Waris Punjab De‘ has confirmed the reports of some Sikh detainees ending up their hunger strike at Dibrugarh jail. In Resolution No 7, moved during Amritsar gathering on 17 March 2024, WPD has alleged that the police officials of Punjab and Indian government kept some detainees in dark while convincing them to end their hunger strike citing a directive of the Akal Takht.
(Last updated on 18 March 2024 at 10:20 am)