Punjab

The police have launched massive search and cordon operations in the state against activists of Amritpal Singh's 'Waris Punjab De'. However, his supporters claimed that he was already in illegal police custody. Meanwhile, the Punjab police used massive force on Tuesday to physically remove hundreds of Sikh protesters, under the banner of Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, who had laid siege to Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan Chowk near Mohali after reports of the police detaining Waris Punjab De supporters.

The High Court continued hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by the legal advisor of Waris Punjab De, requesting the court to direct the respondents to produce the fugitive self-styled Sikh preacher before it. A bench of Justice N.S. Shekhawat asked Advocate General Vinod Ghai: "How did he (Amritpal Singh) escape?" At this, he replied: "We have arrested other accused in the case."

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The pulling down of the national flag at the Indian High Commission in London by pro Khalistani elements is totally unacceptable and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The British government has failed miserably in its most basic responsibility and must be held accountable."

In a video message on the occasion of completion of one year in office, Mann said the people of the state had given a thumping verdict in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the Assembly elections held last year. He said during the last one year, "revolutionary changes" have been witnessed in the state with his government making concerted efforts for ensuring the holistic development of Punjab and prosperity of its people.

Leading the rebels, former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur said the SAD under the Badals' rule had propagated mafia culture and corruption in the state. Besides Bibi Jagir Kaur, the prominent rebel leaders comprise former minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur who held a meeting in Kapurthala's Begowal on Thursday.

Addressing the gathering here before flagging off a Shobha Yatra to mark the Parkash utsav of Guru Ravidass, the Chief Minister said the 'bani' of Guru Ravidass is a lighthouse for the entire humanity. He said Guru Ravidass had shown the path of humanity to the entire world.

In his public address in this Punjab town, Rahul Gandhi said, "Punjab should not be ruled from Delhi, it should be ruled from Punjab only." "I want to tell Bhagwant Mann that you are the Chief Minister of Punjab and Punjab should be run from Punjab. Bhagwant Mann should not succumb under the pressure of Kejriwal," Gandhi said without mincing words.

These were the views of two-time Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh, a veteran of many political and military battles, and known in political circles for keeping national interest above partisan interests. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Amarinder Singh, who had quit as the chief minister after a power tussle that proved to be a massive setback for the Congress party in the state elections thereafter in February, said on Saturday the situation in Punjab is really turning very serious.

People have rejected the SAD in the recent state Assembly polls for the second consecutive term. Its legislators in the present Legislative Assembly of 117 reduced to mere three, down from 15 seats in 2017-22, the lowest-ever number. The BJP, which had won three seats in 2017 when it had contested in alliance with the Akali Dal, secured two seats this time.

Initiating a discussion under the Calling Attention Motion in the Lok Sabha on the problem of drug abuse in the country and steps taken by the government, she launched a scathing attack on the Punjab government.