Tension gripped parts of Mohali on Saturday after the reports of arrest of self-styled preacher Amritpal Singh. Though the Punjab Police clarified that Singh was on the run, news channels began reporting his arrest. This led to hundreds of Nihang Sikhs brandishing swords, spears, and sticks to reach the Singh Shaheedan Gurdwara in Sohana to protest against the police and the AAP government. The protesters blocked the road to the international airport for vehicular traffic, leading to its closure and forcing commuters to take alternate routes.
Senior police officers asked the protesters to lift the blockade so that commuters do not face any problem. However, the protesters remained adamant and said that the protest would end only after the release of Amritpal Singh and his supporters. As the number of protesters increased, police added more force.
Members of Quami Insaaf Morcha also carried out a protest march at the YPS crossing near the Mohali-Chandigarh border, causing panic among residents. Some videos showed no cops were present at the site. Due to the suspension of the internet by the Punjab government, people could be seen asking mediapersons and cops about the situation over phones. Later, heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces was made at the Chandigarh-Mohali border.
The Chandigarh Police is already on high alert and has added more cops on its side at the Mohali border. However, till the filing of this news report, no untoward incident was reported. The situation in Mohali remains tense, and police are keeping a close eye on the developments.
The Chenab Times News Desk