CanтАЩt afford yet тАШanother era of violence and bloodshedтАЩ: Punjab Cong chief to DGP on pro-Khalistani activist Amritpal Singh
Expressing grave concern over the rising activities of pro-Khalistani activist Amritpal Singh presently in spotlight for moving around with armed men in a style akin to slain Sikh militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring Friday wrote to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav requesting him to take all тАЬpreventive and preemptive measures so that the situation is not allowed to get out of controlтАЭ.
тАЬLike every Punjabi, you must also be aware about the activities of one Amritpal Singh. There is growing concern among people across the state over what he says and what he does,тАЭ Warring wrote in his letter.
тАЬLet me clarify that nobody has any problem with his religious preaching and the way he is trying to baptize Sikh youth. At the same time, the tone and tenor during these ceremonies as also the speeches delivered during such ceremonies does raise a genuine sense of concern among people,тАЭ he added.
The Punjab Congress chief in his letter said the way function at Rode village in Moga district was conducted on September 29 has also added to тАЬconcern and confusion among peopleтАЭ, adding the тАЬspeeches delivered on the occasion were certainly far from what these should be at a religious functionтАЭ.
тАЬThe language and the tone and tenor of the speeches made by Amritpal and those accompanying him, is also not exclusively religious. He must clarify what he means by certain statements. Such statements have the potential of misguiding the youth with impressionable minds. And in the current age of social media, the risk is much greater,тАЭ Warring pointed out.
тАЬWhy I am feeling concerned is the response and comments of people, mostly youth, on various social media platforms where Amritpal posts his тАШmessages and updatesтАЩ about his activities. I hope Punjab Police is already seized of the matter. As a responsible Punjabi and a concerned citizen of the country, I request you to keep a strict vigil and watch about his activities lest the situation spirals out of control,тАЭ he added.
Warring demanded тАЬit must also be verified as what is the purpose and motiveтАЭ of the organisation тАШWaris Punjab DeтАЩ and how come тАЬAmritpal landed out of blue as he was well settled in Dubai where he spent most of the time after having migrated thereтАЭ.
тАЬPunjab cannot afford yet another era of violence and bloodshed. I donтАЩt want to sound as an alarmist. At the same time, as a responsible Punjabi I cannot shut my eyes over what I see happening around,тАЭ Warring cautioned.
тАЬAs a dedicated and responsible police officer, am sure you will take all the preventive and preemptive measures so that the situation is not allowed to get out of control. The sooner it is done, the better it would be,тАЭ he added.
