Chandigarh, March 19, 2023 (PPI-OT): A manhunt for a Sikh preacher in India entered its second day, today, after authorities shut mobile internet in the whole of Punjab state and arrested 78 of his supporters. Amritpal Singh rose to prominence in recent months demanding the creation of Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland. After the operation began on Saturday, Punjab police tweeted late in the day that 78 had been arrested in the “mega crackdown”.
But Singh himself was not thought to be among them. On Sunday, there was a major police presence across Punjab, especially in rural pockets and around Singh’s village of Jallupur Khera, local media reported. The police said that its “manhunt” was ongoing and the overall “situation is under control, citizens (are) requested to not believe in rumours”.
Local media reports said that the Punjab government ordered the mobile internet shutdown to be in place until noon (0630 GMT) on Monday. Indian authorities frequently shut down mobile internet services, particularly in the northern region of Kashmir.
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