Facing complete lawlessness following a clash between supporters of Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh and the police outside Ajnala police station in Amritsar leaving six cops injured, the Punjab Police on Thursday agreed to release his close aide on Friday. At the same time, the Police also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the FIR registered against Amritpal Singh and six others in a kidnapping case.
 
Armed with swords and guns, the supporters of the self-styled Sikh preacher broke police barricades and marched towards the Ajnala police station, virtually laying siege to the police complex, demanding the release of their activist in 24 hours.
 
Protesting over the FIR and the arrest of three of his aides, they were demanding that the case against Amritpal Singh be withdrawn. The protestors were also demanding that the aides, who have been arrested in the same case, be released immediately.
 
Earlier, the supporters, owing allegiance to the pro-Khalistan leader, also blocked the Jalandhar-Amritsar national highway.
 
The development came less than a week after the FIR (first information report) was registered against Amritpal Singh — a self-styled preacher and head of pro Khalistan outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’ — and his six associates on the charges of abduction, rioting, theft, and voluntarily causing hurt on a complaint of one Barinder Singh. The complainant had alleged that the people with links to Amritpal Singh had abducted him during his visit to Ajnala to attend a religious programme.
 
With Amritpal facing potential arrest in the matter, the police has reportedly arrested his supporters — Vir Harjinder Singh and gatka master Baldev Singh. Both were to proceed to Ajnala where Amritpal’s arrest is likely to be recorded. His close confidant Lovepreet Singh alias Toofan was also arrested.
 
Supporters-Cops Clash

Tension gripped the border town of Ajnala in Amritsar after hundreds of supporters of Amritpal Singh clashed with the cops at the entrance of the police station. Breaking police barricades, they barged into the police station with swords, guns, and traditional weapons — leaving several cops injured.
 
Later Amritpal also reached the spot and held a meeting with the top police officials at the police station; following which Amritpal set an hour deadline for the police to release his supporter Lovepreet, currently lodged in judicial custody.
 
Various videos and pictures of the crowd, outside the police station, have gone viral on social media. The police personnel are seen struggling to control the situation. Over a dozen of police personals have been injured in the incident.
 
Notably, Amritpal had, a day before, announced to stage a protest outside Ajnala police station to impress for his release and cancellation of 'false' FIR registered against them. As a preventive measure, heavy police deployment was ensured in Ajnala and on different routes leading to the police station.
 
Dharna lifted, Toofan to be Released Today

The protest dharna was lifted from Ajnala police station after the senior police authorities agreed to release Lovepreet Singh alias Toofaan on Friday. The police have also formed an SIT to probe into the FIR registered against Amritpal Singh and his supporters at Ajnala police station. Till the release of Toofan, the protesters have stationed themselves at a nearby Gurdwara.
 
The decision was taken after the senior police officials, including Amritsar Police Commissioner Jaskaran Singh, IG border range Mohnish Chawla and Amritsar Rural SSP Satinder Singh, held meeting with representatives of the Amritpal supporters at Ajnala police station.
 
Police Commissioner Jaskaran Singh told media that the protesters have given enough proof that Toofan is innocent. “The SIT has taken note of it. These people will peacefully disperse now, and the law will take its course,” he said.
 
The announcement of release came Amritpal had set an hour deadline for the police to release his supporter Lovepreet, currently lodged in judicial custody; while also declaring that they would put up permanent dharna at the police station in case the police failed to release his supporter and cancel the FIR.
 
Amritpal had also announced to stage a protest at Ajnala police station against alleged false case of kidnapping and assault registered against him and his supporters six days ago.
 
The Case

Self-styled preacher Amritpal Singh, and six others were booked — under sections 365 (kidnapping), 379-B (snatching), 323 (causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), 148 (rioting), and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) — on the complaint of one Barinder Singh of Salempur village in Ropar district.
 
The complainant, who was Amritpal’s former supporter, alleged that he was kidnapped when he arrived in Ajnala at the headquarters of the Damdami Taksal Ajnala faction run by Amreek Singh Ajnala by Amritpal’s men and was taken to Jallupur Khera village from where Amritpal runs his organization.
 
Barinder alleged that he was beaten up by Amritpal and his aides and he later took a bus back to Amritsar and got admitted to a hospital. Barinder, in his complaint, alleged that he came to know about the alleged immoral activities of one Bikramjit Singh, a close aide of Amritpal.
 
He had alleged that Amritpal and his group were spreading false propaganda and dividing people. He claimed that he decided to discuss the issue with Amritpal, but was not allowed a meeting. He later uploaded a video on Facebook which allegedly upset Amritpal and his men.
 
Amritpal, who claimed to be a staunch supporter of slain Khalistani supporter Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, is heading an outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’ — founded by late singer and actor Deep Sidhu to deliberate on issues concerning Punjab.