Crackdown on Amritpal: Several Twitter accounts suspended in Punjab

New Delhi: After extending the internet shutdown by another 24 hours till Tuesday 12 pm, several Twitter handles belonging to pro-Khalistan politicians and supporters besides some journalists in Punjab were suspended on the advice of the Punjab government, it is learnt.

The move was part of a statewide crackdown on Sikh hardliner Amritpal Singh since Saturday,

According to the latest briefing of Punjab police, Amritpal, declared fugitive, is still at large, even as 114 of his supporters are behind bars and facing multiple cases now.

While there is no official word yet on the number of Twitter accounts suspended, Punjab Inspector General of Police Sukhchain Singh Gill said in his media briefing that the move was part of a preventive measure.

As per media reports, 75 accounts have been suspended so far.

The prominent people whose Twitter handle was suspended include Simranjit Singh Mann, pro-Khalistan leader and member of parliament from Sangrur, besides several of his close supporters and social media influencers supporting Amritpal Singh

Only on Sunday, Mann in a press meet apprehended that Amritpal Singh may be eliminated in an encounter.

If he (Amritpal) is not produced before a magistrate soon, we will think he has been eliminated in an encounter. If this happens, it will lead to a big issue worldwide among the Sikhs, Mann also told reporters.

The Twitter handle suspension in the media included Indian Express’s Amritsar correspondent Kamaldeep Brar and Gagandeep Singh, a journalist with a Punjab-based Digital TV channel.

Several media personalities in Punjab came to their support after their account suspension, claiming that both reporters were presenting factual information.

Meanwhile, the political accusations have already started.

While Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) central leadership on Monday lauded Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann for the ongoing crackdown, Shiromani Akali Dal in its latest statement came down heavily against 'the puppet AAP regime in Punjab' for the undeclared emergency and reign of repression and terror let loose in the state.

SAD chief Sukhbir Badal also warned against “dangerous conspiracies to defame the most patriotic Sikh community for communal polarization and electoral gains. The same conspiracies were hatched and implemented by Congress in the past and now the present regime is following in their footsteps to set Punjab on fire.

On Sunday, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh also told the Punjab government and the central government not to "create an atmosphere of terror in Punjab".