Amritsar: Amritpal's aide Toofan released from jail amid tensions

After massive protests by radical preacher Amritpal Singh's supporters demanding release of Lovepreet Singh alias Toofan, an accused involving kidnapping, security has been tightened in Amritsar. Amid protests and investigations, Lovepreet Toofan is set to be released by the police on Friday evening.

The Superintendent of Police said that Lovepreeet Toofan is being released as the evidence they (Amritpal side) produced established that he was not present on the spot. “We have submitted it to the court. Forces are deployed at various areas as a precautionary measure and the situation is under control,” said Satinder Singh, SSP Amritsar-Rural. The court has given release orders, he added.

While speaking to the media, Amritpal Singh said that our aim for Khalistan should not be seen as evil or taboo. “It should be seen from an intellectual point of view as to what could be its geopolitical benefits. It's an ideology and an ideology never dies. We are not asking for it from Delhi,” said 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal.

The supporters holding swords and guns had broke the barricades and stormed to the Ajnala police station on Thursday. At least three policemen were hurt during the clash. According to reports, the police refrained from taking any action as the preacher often described as Khalistan sympathiser.

We were assured by the police that those arrested would be released soon after legal formalities in this regard are completed.

Police has tightened the security in and around the complex. However the police did not make it clear if any action is taken against those resorting to violence on Thursday.

Earlier, a protest was staged by Amritpal's supporters at Dhilwan toll plaza in Kapurthala district when they were stopped by police from marching towards Amritsar on Thursday.

Amritpal had issued an 'ultimatum' on Thursday for the release of his aid Lovepreet. Amritpal had reportedly issued a recent threat to Union Minister Amit Shah saying he will meet the same fate as that of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

A case was registered against Amritpal and his 30 supporters for allegedly kidnapping and thrashing Barinder Singh, a resident of Chamkaur Sahib.

Barinder Singh, in his complaint, had told the police that Amritpal Singh's associates had abducted him from Ajnala and took him to an unknown place where he was brutally thrashed.

The protesters asked the police to cancel the FIR and also threatened that they would not leave the police station till Lovepreet Singh is released.

Amritpal Singh and his supporters had also brought a vehicle carrying a copy of the "Guru Granth Sahib" for holding Amrit Sanchar (a Sikh ceremony) at the police station.

SP Satinder Singh on Thursday said that a special investigation team has been formed to look into the matter.

Amritpal Singh is the head of 'Waris Punjab De' -- an organisation founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident in February last year.