4 aides of Amritpal Singh among 27 arrested in Ludhiana district

LUDHIANA: Police have arrested four aides of separatist leader Amritpal Singh, head of “Waris Punjab De” organisation. These four men were closely connected with Amritpal, police said. They have been arrested as a preventive measure and sent to jail. In Boparai Kalan village, 21 persons, including the granthi of a gurdwara were arrested for allegedly trying to disrupt the peace. Two persons were also arrested in Samrala area of Ludhiana district.
Police held flag marches in Ludhiana’s zone 1 from Clock Tower to Chaura Bazaar, CMCH to old city area, Samrala Chowk and Salem Tabri etc. Officials also interacted with shopkeepers and general public at religious places here. In zone-3, flag march was conducted from Sadar police station near Fountain Chowk to Ghumar Mandi.

Flag march was also carried out in Mullanpur, Sudhar, Boparai, Pandori, Dhaat, Doraha, Payal, Macchiwara, Samrala, Khanna city etc. Ludhiana police commissioner Mandeep Singh Sidhu said, “Punjab Police launched a crackdown on elements of Waris Punjab De. During the drive, Ludhiana city police arrested four aides of Amritpal, who were in direct contact with him. They have been lodged in jail now.”
The police commissioner also said that police had met anxious village residents. “Police are organising flag marches in different localities to give citizens a sense of security. We request everyone to not spread any false information. Anyone willing to confirm a development in this case may contact the police. There were some restless people in villages here who were in ambiguity over the arrest of Amritpal. Our officials have met them and shared all the required information. Checkposts have been established at several points in the city,” he added.
Police arrested 21 persons, including the granthi of a gurdwara for staging a protest in support of Amritpal. The accused had tried to create disruption on a village road in Boparai Kalan area. Besides, Khanna police arrested two persons as preventive action since Saturday.
IG Ludhiana range Dr Kaustubh Sharma said that on Saturday evening, a group of 20 to 25 persons, including the granthi of a gurdwara in Boparai Kalan village staged a protest in support of Amritpal Singh. Thereafter, he said that the area DSP went to the spot and asked them not to violate the law, at which they went away. He added that the gurdwara had an indirect connection with Amritpal. Further investigation is on.
A senior police officer said that on Sunday, a group of persons, including the granthi staged a protest and tried to disrupt the peace but were arrested. He added that they were produced before the SDM, who sent them to judicial custody.
Police officials said that most of the persons arrested from the village were locals.
According to IG, Ludhiana range, two persons were arrested in Samrala sub-division of Ludhiana district, with one each arrested on Saturday and Sunday as a preventive measure.
In Khanna, SSP Amneet Kondal, who led a flag march, said that it was aimed at assuring residents that the law and order situation was under control. The SSP urged people not to believe fake news. She added that the Ludhiana DC had issued orders for imposition of Section 144. Meanwhile, police said that five companies were deployed in Ludhiana rural police district, which comprised three of ITBP. Two companies of Punjab police and one of ITBP was deployed in Khanna area, they said.
With inputs from Payal Dhawan and Shariq Majeed