Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has accused supporters of Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh of using the holy Guru Granth Sahib as a shield and attacking police personnel in a cowardly manner. Yadav made the remarks a day after protesters stormed a police station in Ajnala, on the outskirts of Amritsar, leaving six officers injured.
Despite giving assurances of a peaceful demonstration, protesters used sharp-edged weapons, Yadav said. “The demonstration was permitted when under the cover of Palki Sahib of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, police were attacked in a cowardly manner,” he said. “Police acted with utmost restraint due to the maryada of Guru Granth Sahib and preserved it. Had police opened fire, it would have led to more issues. We have acted with restraint on account of presence of the holy Guru Granth Sahib.”
The protesters, some of whom brandished swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into the police station, extracting an assurance from the police that kidnapping case accused Lovepreet Singh would be released. ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh and his supporters also brought a vehicle carrying a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib for holding “amrit sanchar” (a Sikh ceremony) at the police station.
Amritpal Singh’s aide and kidnapping accused Lovepreet Singh ‘Toofan’ walked out of jail in Ajnala on Friday.
The DGP said the Punjab Police is committed to maintaining peace and harmony and added that certain elements are trying to destabilise peace in the state.
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The Chenab Times News Desk