Authorities in India reportedly cut off the internet for 27 million people as they searched for a male suspect.
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Earlier this week, state police and paramilitary forces searched for Sikh political activist Amritpal Singh a month after he was falsely arrested for kidnapping charges. On February 22, Singh was arrested during a violent clash between authorities and protestors in the state of Punjab. However, officers dropped the charges and released Singh. Although the activist is nowhere to be found, as reported by Vice News, authorities deemed him a “national security threat” and limited internet access for 27 million people.
“AmritpalSingh No Holy Man”; #AmritpalSingh used to blackmail and extort women, was having multiple extra-marital affairs, use to do obscene and objectionable talks via SM, despite being claimed by him that he is happily married. pic.twitter.com/NwCHafpPQY
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) March 22, 2023
Additionally, they stopped protests, suspended Twitter accounts, and arrested over a hundred people within four days. Journalists who reported about the ongoing situation also had their Twitter accounts suspended.
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The outlet also reported that not much is known about Singh except that he was born and raised in India. He lived in Dubai for a decade and returned to India to start a new social organization called Waris Punjab De or “The Heirs of Punjab.” Ever since Singh started his organization, he wanted the Sikh community to be completely separated from the rest of India due to years of persecution and violence the group faced in Punjab.
“Whenever you try to rely on governments or their funding or depend on state structures, they control your fate, including your politics as a community. Our hope is to provide alternative and parallel structures that provide us independence from the state.”
His beliefs reflected the ideologies Khalistan movement, a movement that occurred after India regained independence from Great Britain in 1947. He said government officials do not want the youth to follow his beliefs out of fear of rebellion, especially since the Khalistan movement is banned in India.
Thousands gathered today outside the Indian Embassy standing in solidarity with Amritpal Singh and Punjab. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/sVyiku8AjG
— WatYouSaiyan (@WatYouSaiyan) March 22, 2023
Internet suspension in Panjab in Bhai Amritpal Singh’s case clearly clarify that the government trying to repeat 1984. Its high time to stand with Bhai Amritpal ji for Khalistsan raj. Otherwise, these actions will not be stopped.#WeStandWithAmritpalSingh #Panjab #Khalistan pic.twitter.com/ubmagce5Ld
— ਧਵਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਕੌਰ ਢਿੱਲੋਂ💕 (@dwndhillon) March 18, 2023
Hindus are a minority in Punjab; stop oppressing them.
Put an end to dividing Sikhs and Hindus.
Quit backing radicals like Amritpal Singh.
Stop disrespecting the police and security forces of this nation.
Quit using the victim card so often.
Nothing in what we’ve said in this… https://t.co/K9EL56xduO— PunFact (@pun_fact) March 22, 2023