By The Editor
Pro-Khalistan separatist and extreme elements are rearing their ugly heads again under the banner ‘Waris Punjab Day’ headed by radical preacher Amritpal Singh and the involvement of Pakistan is not ruled out. On March 18, police launched a crackdown against Amritpal Singh, who has evaded arrest, and detained seven of his supporters under National Security Act (NSA). Canada has been fertile ground for anti-India activities by Khalistan supporters who have vandalised some Hindu temples. On earlier occasions they attacked the Indian High Commission in London, United Kingdom (UK) and also the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, United States (US). The External Affairs Ministry accordingly summoned the Charge d’affaires of UK and US to voice protests on the unwarranted and ugly incidents asking both governments to take appropriate actions.
Meanwhile a group of Khalistan supporters held a protest in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington, US capital, and tried to incite violence to the extent of threatening the country’s envoy which was stopped by timely arrival of law enforcement agency to preventthem from vandalising the property. They also raised insulting slogans and openly threatened the Indian Ambassador, Taranjit Singh Sandhu who, however, was not present. Sensing that the mob might not hesitate at all to indulge in violence and hence uncontrollable, the US Secret Service and local police or reinforcement who arrived soon thereafter. Angry mob who tried to take the law into their own hands by entering embassy property with intention of damaging it were prevented from doing so at appropriate time by secret service personnel who were very vigilant and asked them to retreat to the spot marked for them. From all indications it appeared that militant group was fully prepared and came to the place ever-ready to do something harmful like destroying Indian properties as they did earlier at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the Indian High Commission in London. But this time security personnel were fully equipped with necessary strength and information to deal with any eventuality and at least three police vans were placed in front of the Embassy for protection.
The following day another hostile group of Khalistan supporters also staged a protest at the iconic Times Square in New York, US to express solidarity with the fugitive radical preacher Amritpal Singh. On Sunday March 19, they took out a car rally starting from Baba Mekhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center in Richmond Hill neighbourhood and culminated at Times Square in the heart of New York City amid tight security. Multitude of cars with blaring music and loud horns fitted with Khalistani flags and displaying photos of Amritpal Singh plied proudly along the streets until they reached the venue. Protesters who included men, women and children were seen carrying placards reading ‘Free Amritpal Singh’ and holding his photos raised anti-India slogans. Government of India expects justice and action on the matter from UK and US.