Amritsar/ Ludhiana: As per reports received from various parts of Punjab, the state police conducted a crackdown last night on Sikh activists and youth leaders. Sikh youth leader Bhai Mandhir Singh and Ranjit Singh (activist of Damdami Taksal) were reportedly arrested by the police.
The police also conducted raids to arrest other Sikh youth activists in Ludhiana. Manwinder Singh Giaspura of Ludhaina told Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) that the police raided his houses at around 1:15 am but he was able to escape arrest.
Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur told SSN that Bhai Mandhir Singh was arrested by police at around 11:15 pm on January 07 from his Garhi Kanugoan based residence.
The police crackdown reportedly conducted in wake of announcement by fasting Sikh activist Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa to visit Darbar Saib in Amritsar on January 08. Gurbaksh Singh’s indefinite hunger strike has entered 56th day today. He is seeking permanent release of seven Sikh political prisoners who have completed their jail terms.
Sources said that the late night police action against Sikh youth leaders and activists was aimed at preventing ‘others’ from taking lead at local levels during Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa’s march through various parts of Punjab. Sources said the raids were a calculated political action to ensure that only pro-ruling party activists are allowed to receive Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa during Ambala to Amritsar march on January 08.