New Delhi: Amid the ongoing manhunt to catch Khalistan supporter in Punjab, the state government has now extended the ban on mobile internet and SMS services in some cities till Thursday (March 23) afternoon, reported news agency PTI. The curbs will be lifted from the rest of the state except Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Moga, Sangrur and Amritsar's Ajnala sub-division and a few areas in Mohali.
The restrictions on mobile internet and SMS services were imposed on Saturday when the Punjab police launched a major crackdown to arrest radical preacher Amritpal Singh and other members of his outfit 'Waris Punjab De'.
The recent order, as per PTI, read, "… it is directed that all mobile internet services (2G/3G/45/5G/CDMA/GPRS), all SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice calls, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall continue to remain suspended from March 21 (12.00 hours) to March 23 (12.00 hours) only in the districts Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Moga, Sangrur, sub-division Ajnala in Amritsar, areas adjoining YPS chowk and airport road, both in SAS Nagar in continuation of this office order no 1781 dated March 20 in the interest of public safety, to prevent any incitement to violence and to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order."
The order clarified that mobile internet services in all the remaining areas of Punjab should start functioning normally from 12 noon on Tuesday, March 21.
This comes as the hunt to nab pro-Khalistan "Waris Punjab De" chief Amritpal Singh entered the fourth day on Tuesday. While the radical leader's uncle Harjit Singh was bought to Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam this morning, Amritpal is still on the run.
Sukhchain Singh Gill, Punjab Inspector General of Police (Headquarters), said that a total of 114 people have been arrested so far as a result of the crackdown on members of the Waris Punjab De organisation.
He further said that the police have a very strong suspicion of an ISI angle and foreign funding in Waris Punjab De.
The Punjab Police claimed on Monday that it has used the harsh National Security Act (NSA) against five persons, including Amritpal's uncle Harjit Singh, connected to extremist preacher's 'Waris Punjab De', which allows the police to detain suspects in any prison across the country.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court will today hear centre's response to a plea seeking the "release" of Amritpal Singh. The habeas corpus plea was from Iman Singh Khara, legal adviser, Waris Punjab De, who in his plea claimed that Amritpal was in illegal custody of the police.