Lovepreet Toofan, an aide of ‘Waris Punjab De’ founder Amritpal Singh, raises slogans with supporters after his release from Amritsar Central Jail, in Amritsar, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. Photo Credit: PTI
Lovepreet Singh alias Toofan Singh, a close aide of self-styled Sikh preacher and Khalistani supporter Amritpal Singh, accused in a kidnapping and assault case, was on Friday released from jail in Punjab’s Ajnala.
A local court issued the release order after the police submitted an application to discharge Mr. Lovepreet Singh. On Thursday, armed with swords, guns and sharp weapons, hundreds of supporters of Mr Amritpal Singh, who heads the hardline heir Punjab De organisation, scuffled with police personnel, injuring some. They barged into the Ajnala police station demanding the cancellation of the FIR and the release of Lovepreet.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar Rural, Satinder Singh told reporters that supporters of Lovepreet Singh had given evidence that he was not present at the place where the alleged abduction and assault took place, and hence the same evidence was presented to the police. Had done Court, for its discharge.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said that, in an act of “cowardice”, the protesters had used a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib as a shield while attacking the police personnel. He said that the police acted with utmost restraint to maintain the dignity of the holy Guru Granth Sahib. “Six police personnel were injured in the incident. After analyzing the video footage, action will be taken against those who attacked the police.
‘Law and order collapse’
Opposition parties accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of failing to maintain law and order in the state. “If a group of people armed with all kinds of weapons including guns and swords lay siege to a police station, resulting in bloody clashes in which many are injured, it is called a collapse of the machinery of law and order in Punjab.” should go.” Congress MLA Pratap Singh Bajwa, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, said.
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Sikh Badal said that a conspiracy is at work to make the peaceful democratic voice of Punjabis irrelevant by actively sponsoring and promoting disruptive and lawless elements. “Otherwise, how do you explain the complete administrative paralysis of yesterday and why no effort was made by the government to ensure that the state has its due? There is no government in Punjab worthy of our name.
‘political motive’
Earlier, Shri Amritpal Singh alleged that the FIR was lodged only with a political motive, claiming that his supporters had gathered to show their strength in support of their demands. He warned the local administration that “…if the demands are not met, the administration will be responsible for whatever happens.”
Mr Amritpal Singh was among several people who were recently booked by the Punjab Police on charges of abduction, theft and voluntarily causing hurt to a resident of Chamkaur Sahib in Rupnagar district. In this connection, the police arrested Lovepreet Singh alias Toofan Singh last week. His relatives have accused the police of implicating him in a false case.