many are confused about the conflicting stories coming out about amritpal singh’s arrest—this confusion is purposeful. historically security forces in punjab have perpetuated such confusion to use it to their advantage while carrying out disappearances and fake encounters.
mass arrests of sikh activists are taking place in punjab. at least 78 people taken. internet and SMS have been shut down in areas along with crackdowns on gatherings. sikh media outlets and pages have been blocked.
The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) condemns the security operations in Punjab to arrest Sikh leader, Bhai Amritpal Singh.
Indian authorities have announced the mass suspension of internet services across Punjab until 12pm Sunday citing a threat to “public order by incitement to violence”. State-wide cordon and search operations are currently underway across Punjab.
We are also deeply concerned that the confusion around Bhai Amritpal Singh’s detention may be used to orchestrate a false encounter and facilitate his extrajudicial murder. This tactic was commonly used by the Punjab police through the 80’s and 90’s to eliminate Sikh activists.
We call on the Canadian Government to demand accountability from India and call for the immediate restoration of civil rights and internet services in Punjab.
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Read the full press release here -
https://t.co/wZpZZOZDB8