Supporters of the self-proclaimed Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh held a rally in Mohali in protest against the police crackdown on the radical leader. With swords and sticks, the protesters, who were part of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, criticized the police for their action and blocked a road near Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan in Mohali.
Shamsher Singh, one of the protesters, said: “We wanted to go to Ajnala, where the crackdown was taking place. We are ready to sacrifice ourselves and we will not allow his arrest because it would be undemocratic.
A strong police force led by the rank of Ropar IG Gurpreet Singh Bhullar was deployed at the protest site. SP (D) Amandeep Singh Brar, spoke to the protesters but they refused to end their agitation.
Earlier in the day, a strong police force was deployed near the morcha site at Gita Bhawan in Mohali-chandigarh edge.
Quami Insaaf Morcha organizers held a long meeting to discuss the arrest of Amritpal Singh. Later that night, Gurcharan Singh, one of the organizers of the morcha, said that they condemn the police crackdown and support Amritpal.
“The detention is reprehensible and we oppose it. We call on the people of Punjab to maintain law and order and keep the peace,” Gurcharan said.