The central intelligence agencies are keeping a close watch on the situation in Punjab after the state police launched an operation to arrest radical preacher and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh on Saturday. Though there were reports that the Khalistan sympathiser was arrested, police later denied it.
According to officials, several companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed at various checkpoints and other locations to deal with any law and order situation.
"We are keeping a close watch on the situation unfolding in Punjab. Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and other agencies are on their toes and regularly updating regarding the situation in Punjab," a senior intelligence officer told ANI.
Another officer told the news agency that they have come across several objectionable posts and memes that might have been shared by ISI operatives from Pakistan. Agencies had earlier claimed that Amritpal was in close touch with Jaswant Singh Rode, brother of Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode.
Heavy deployment of security forces has been made near village Jallupur Khera in Amritsar, the native place of Amritpal. The state home affairs department ordered suspension of internet services in the state till 12 pm tomorrow, citing probable incitement to violence by some people.
“It is directed that all mobile internet services , all SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice calls, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall be suspended from March 18 (12.00 hours) to March 19 (12.00 hours) in the interest of public safety to prevent any incitement to violence and to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order," the order said.
Punjab | Security enhanced across the state, visuals from the areas of Mehtapura and around Darbar Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Jalandhar.
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2023
Sub Inspector Balraj Singh says, "This security is for law and order duty." pic.twitter.com/eg4cDgmBR5
Earlier in the morning, police had intercepted Amritpal's cavalcade in Mehatpur village in Jalandhar district, but he managed to give the cops a slip.
A top source told NDTV that the Punjab government waited for the G20 event to get over to initiate action against Amritpal.
Last month, the Khalistani sympathiser and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into the Ajnala Police Station in the outskirts of the Amritsar city, clashing with police demanding the release of one of Amritpal's aide.
During the incident, six policemen including a Superintendent of Police rank officer had suffered injuries.
