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UP SDO who had put up Osama bin Laden’s poster calling him ‘world’s best engineer’ sacked from govt job

OpIndia Staff
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UP SDO who had put up Osama bin Laden’s poster calling him ‘world’s best engineer’ sacked from govt job

Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has sacked the official who had put up a poster of terrorist Osama Bin Laden and hailed him as the ‘best engineer in the world’.

The state-run power distribution company terminated the services of Ravindra Prakash Gautam, Sub-divisional officer (SDO) Farukkhabad. 

On Monday, UPPCL chairman M Devraj issued Gautam’s termination order after an inquiry committee found him guilty of ‘engaging in an anti-national act that tarnished the image of the department.

In June last year, it was reported that Ravindra Prakash Gautam, former SDO (Nawabganj) posted in Kayamanganj in UP’s Farrukhabad had put up the poster of Al-Qaeda terrorist Osama bin Laden in his office and had claimed that Laden was the best engineer in the world. He had framed his opinion after he read a book on Laden which mentioned that ‘Laden had a degree in civil engineering and was associated with many crucial projects in Saudi Arabia in the initial phase of his life’.

After the video of the poster of Laden hanging in his office with the caption “Respected Osama Bin Laden, the best engineer in the world” went viral over social media platforms the SDO was suspended by Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam and an investigation was initiated. 

The poster that was put up by the now-terminated SDO in his office

According to the order issued by the UPPCL chairman, “Him (Ravindra Prakash Gautam) considering Osama bin Laden as the best engineer and pasting his photo in the office are signs of extreme indiscipline. Despite being a public servant, he committed an anti-national act and also against the corporation that damaged the department’s reputation.”

A number of other accusations were made against him by the DVVNL investigative committee, including causing loss of revenue, inappropriate behaviour towards senior officers, and negligence in departmental work.

Gautam, in his defence, gave several bizarre arguments, one such was that if some people in this country can idolize Nathuram Godse who killed Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi then why can he not idolize Osama Bin Laden. 

How Amritpal Singh was trained by ISI, had links to SFJ and how Pannu is now issuing threats over crackdown: Details

OpIndia Staff
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How Amritpal Singh was trained by ISI, had links to SFJ and how Pannu is now issuing threats over crackdown: Details

On March 21, a Hindustan Times report revealed that Pakistani spy agency ISI trained pro-Khalistan separatist leader and chief of Waris Punjab De Amritpal Singh in Georgia before coming to India. Furthermore, it has been revealed that Singh had close links to the banned Khalistani terrorist organisation Sikhs For Justice. HT quoted unnamed officials in India’s counter-terrorism apparatus saying key portions of the conspiracy were hatched in Dubai.

A person aware of intelligence analysis of Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal said, “During his stay in Dubai, which is a hub for ISI agents, Amritpal Singh was offered money as part of a well-orchestrated plan to revive militancy in Punjab. He was sent to Georgia for training by ISI before his flight to India.” Amritpal Singh is a part of the conspiracy hatched by Pakistan to revive militancy in Punjab, the officer said.

He added, “Amritpal Singh also has links with SFJ and even campaigned for the latter’s activities on social media.” Singh was close to Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, founder of SFJ, who is a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Reports suggest that Amritpal Singh, who claimed to be running de-addiction centres, was found to be running a drug smuggling network in India with the help of ISI. Amritpal was allegedly using low-quality cheap antidotes to ensure prolonged dependency on drugs in inmates at the centres.

Weapons procured from Pakistan were recovered from the centres. Furthermore, the drone intrusions across the border to drop drugs and weapons spiked after he arrived in India in September 2022. Agencies noted that Singh was creating a ‘private militia’ at his drug de-addiction centres. He had named it the “Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF)”. According to the investigating agencies, the group was misappropriating funds in the name of Khalistan under the supervision of his uncle Harjit Singh.

Jaswant Singh Rode, brother of Pakistan-based Lakhbir Singh Rode, was the source of drugs for Amritpal Singh. Rode was also linked to his main handler Avtar Singh Khanda’s link Paramjeet Singh Pamma. The official told HT, “Besides, he has links with drug smugglers across the border identified by their pseudo names – Billa, Bilal and Rana.” Not to forget, the Mercedes car he was using to travel across Punjab was allegedly given to him by Ravel Singh, a notorious drug dealer.

Another round of “Khalsa Vaheer” was planned from March 19, starting from Muktsar Sahib Gurudwara and ending at Damdama Sahib Gurudwara on Baisakhi. The idea was to increase his influence in the Malwa region. The march was deliberately scheduled on the Barsi (death anniversary) of controversial singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala. Notably, Moosewala’s mother praised Amritpal Singh in her address at the Barsi event.

SFJ issued threats over a crackdown on Amritpal Singh

Irked by the crackdown on Amritpal Singh, SFJ’s chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu issued a threat against Punjab Government and Central Government. In a video statement, he issued a threat to damage powerhouses in Delhi. He also asked his followers to reach the Delhi border. Pannu said in the statement that Singh was connecting thousands of Sikhs to Anandpur Sahib with Khalsa Vaheer. He was keeping youth away from drugs. He alleged the work done by Singh irked the Indian government leading to a crackdown against him. He called it the beginning of a war. He threatened to damage the Pragati-3 powerhouse in his statement.

Amritpal Singh urged his followers to support Referendum 2020

In a Clubhouse discussion, Amritpal Singh urged his followers to support Sikhs For Justice’s Referendum 2020. He categorically said that everyone who is demanding Khalistan should be supported but with caution. He saw no problem supporting deemed terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu’s SFJ as it demands a separate nation for Sikhs. A detailed report on publicly available Clubhouse recordings of Amritpal Singh can be read here.

Crackdown on Amritpal Singh

On March 18, Punjab Police launched a massive crackdown on Amritpal Singh with support from Central agencies. Around 114 of his associates and followers have been arrested so far, including actor Daljeet Kalsi who is believed to be his advisor and financer. Singh managed to escape after a car chase on March 18 and is on the run. Punjab Police revealed Singh has connections to SFJ and ISI. His treasurer received funds from Pakistan. Four of his associates were shifted to Dibrugarh, Assam. The state govt suspended mobile internet and imposed Section 144 in the state. Internet in some locations is still suspended. NIA reached Punjab to take over the case on March 21.

‘Van was coming from AAP office’: Delhi Police registers 100 FIRs over anti-Modi posters, 6 arrested for property defacement

OpIndia Staff
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‘Van was coming from AAP office’: Delhi Police registers 100 FIRs over anti-Modi posters, 6 arrested for property defacement

After several posters against Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed on walls and poles in various parts of the capital were found, the Delhi Police filed 100 FIRs and arrested six people.

One of the posters that read ‘Modi hatao, desh bachao’ called for the overthrow of the PM Modi-led government at the Center.

Speaking to ANI, Special CP Deependra Pathak said “Delhi Police registered 100 FIRs while 6 people were arrested for objectionable posters including some against PM Narendra Modi across the city. Posters didn’t have details of the printing press. FIR has been filed under sections of the Printing Press Act and Defacement of Property Act.”

Special CP Pathak also added that the police had intercepted a van as soon as it left the Aam Aadmi Party office. A few posters were seized and some people were also arrested.

Some media reports state that the police took down over 2,000 “anti-Modi” posters from various locations across the city.

According to a TV9 Bharatvarsh report, Over 50,000 of these posters were meant to be put up across Delhi, according to police officials investigating the case. Two printing presses were ordered for this purpose. Also, several workers were hired at the same time to put up these posters across the city from Sunday night to Monday morning.

Anti-Modi posters (Image via ETV Bharat)

This comes after posters attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi were put up in several locations throughout West Delhi. The poster stated that Modi must be ousted to save the nation (Modi hatao Desh bachao). However, neither a symbol nor the name of any party or organization was mentioned on the posters. Such anti-Modi posters were seen across Metro pillars in Janakpuri, Tilak Nagar, Uttam Nagar, Vikaspuri, and Subhash Nagar. 

Delhi Police officials have clarified that out of the 100 FIRs, 36 are on anti-Modi posters, rest are in connection with other posters.

Note: This article has been updated with latest information on number of FIRs.

Amritpal Singh changed looks and attire, local Gurudwara helped him escape from a village in Jalandhar: What the eyewitness said

OpIndia Staff
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Amritpal Singh changed looks and attire, local Gurudwara helped him escape from a village in Jalandhar: What the eyewitness said

On March 21, it was revealed that a local Gurudwara in the village Nangal Ambian, district Jalandhar, helped pro-Khalistani separatist fugitive Amritpal Singh escape. In a statement, an eyewitness told the news agency ANI, “We got to know today morning when the police came that Amritpal and his associates were here in the village on March 18. He changed clothes at the local gurudwara, had food&then went away on a motorcycle. Babaji, who’s being questioned by police now, had admitted that Amritpal came here.”

Though the Punjab Police have not confirmed the footage, the CCTV footage sourced from the local villagers showed Amritpal Singh in a different attire escaping on a motorbike. Reportedly, Singh had fled Mehatpur in a Maruti Brezza car. He reached the Nangal Ambian village and stayed in a Gurudwara, where he changed his attire and escaped on a motorbike.

A Dainik Bhaskar report pointed out that before the escape, Singh removed Bana and changed attire to grey trousers and a zipper. He was seen wearing a pink Dastar (turban) and black sunglasses. He was not carrying his Kirpan in the footage. It appears Singh also trimmed his beard, which is forbidden for Amritdhari Sikhs. He escaped on the bike with registration number PB 08 CU 8884. The report said the person who escaped with him had been identified as his media advisor.

In a statement, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sukhchain Singh Gill said, “Amritpal Singh has not been arrested yet. We are making all efforts to arrest him. We’re hopeful that we’ll arrest him soon…It is difficult to say that. Punjab Police is receiving full cooperation from other states and central agencies”. Furthermore, four people have been arrested for helping Singh escape.

IGP Gill said, “Those arrested for helping Amritpal to flee from Mehatpur include Manpreet Manna (28 years) of village Nawan Killa of Shahkot, Gurdeep Singh Deepa (34) of village Bal Naun in Nakodar, Harpreet Singh Happy (36) of Kotla Nodh Singh village of Bullowal Hoshiarpur and Gurbhej Singh alias Bheja of village Goindara of Faridkot.”

Crackdown on Amritpal Singh

On March 18, Punjab Police launched a massive crackdown on Amritpal Singh with support from Central agencies. Around 114 of his associates and followers have been arrested so far, including actor Daljeet Kalsi who is believed to be his advisor and financer. Singh managed to escape after a car chase on March 18 and is on the run. Punjab Police revealed Singh has connections to SFJ and ISI. His treasurer received funds from Pakistan. Four of his associates were shifted to Dibrugarh, Assam. The state govt suspended mobile internet and imposed Section 144 in the state. Internet in some locations is still suspended. NIA reached Punjab to take over the case on March 21.

Pakistan: Top ISI brigadier killed during an encounter with militants in South Waziristan

ANI
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Pakistan: Top ISI brigadier killed during an encounter with militants in South Waziristan

Pakistan military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday said that a brigadier from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Mustafa Kamal Barki, was killed during an encounter with “hardcore terrorists” in South Waziristan’s Angoor Adda, Pakistan-based Dawn newspaper reported. 

The ISPR in a statement said that an intense exchange of fire took place between the two sides, adding that Brigadier Mustafa Kamal Barki was killed “while leading the encounter from the front” and seven others were injured, including two who were critically wounded. The military’s media affairs wing said Brigadier Barki and his team “put up a valiant resistance against the terrorists during the encounter and the officer sacrificed his life for the peace of the motherland”.

“Defence forces of Pakistan and intelligence agencies pledge to reaffirm and demonstrate firm resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism from every inch of the country,” the ISPR said, as quoted by Dawn. 

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed regret over the incident and said Brigadier Barki had “sacrificed his life for the peace of motherland”, adding that his sacrifice would not go in vain. 

“The terrorists will be found out [and] they will have to pay a heavy price,” the foreign minister said. 

PTI Chairman Imran Khan also said he was “saddened” to hear of the news and extended his condolences to the brigadier’s family, Dawn reported. 
ISPR recently confirmed that two children were killed during an operation against suspected “militants” on the border of North and South Waziristan districts, Dawn reported. 

According to ISPR, two children died during the operation, in which officials alleged that eight people, whom the media wing called “militants” also left two soldiers wounded. 

“Upon information about the presence of militants in the Zinghara area of South Waziristan, security forces carried out an operation,” said the statement. 
Earlier, unconfirmed media reports claimed that the children were killed in a drone strike but in the ISPR statement, there was no mention of a “drone strike,” reported Dawn.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Rajasthan Police claims interview of Lawrence Bishnoi, currently lodged in Punjab’s Bathinda jail, did not take place in their state

ANI
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Rajasthan Police claims interview of Lawrence Bishnoi, currently lodged in Punjab’s Bathinda jail, did not take place in their state

Rajasthan police on Tuesday said that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been arrested in a case related to the alleged conspiracy to recruit youth to carry out terror strikes in Delhi and other parts of the country, didn’t give any interview to any channel when he was in the state. 

“Lawrence Bishnoi was wanted in a case at Jawahar Circle Police station, in which he was brought to Jaipur on a production warrant. Lawrence stayed in Rajasthan for a total of 20 days. He was in Jawahar Circle Police station for 15 days and in jail for 5 days, but I would like to make it very clear that Lawrence Bishoni’s interview, telecast on a news channel, didn’t happen while he was in Rajasthan,” Jaipur Commissioner of Police Anand Srivastava told ANI. Recently two interviews of Bishnoi, purportedly recorded over a Video call, were aired by a private TV channel. 

The interviews featuring Bishnoi, who is presently being held in the high-security Bathinda jail, sparked controversy regarding the use of mobile phones by inmates inside the jail. 

“Lawrence Bishnoi’s interview which aired on 14 March showed his hair and beard are longer than when he was in Rajasthan. When he was here, the day-to-day photography and videography are present in the CCTV cameras which is very different,” he added. 

Ahead of the first death anniversary of Sidhu Moosewala, an interview by the prime accused in his murder, Lawrence Bishnoi, purportedly from inside jail raised questions. 

Moosewala was killed in broad daylight in Punjab’s Mansa on 29 May last year. Police suspect gangster Lawrence Bishnoi masterminded the murder, along with his close aide Goldy Brar, a Canada-based gangster.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Punjab police release pictures of Amritpal Singh in different attires seeking help to identify him, invokes NSA against the Khalistan supporter

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab police release pictures of Amritpal Singh in different attires seeking help to identify him, invokes NSA against the Khalistan supporter

On Tuesday, March 21, the Punjab police, which has been desperately searching for Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh, released his few photographs in different attires and sought help to identify him. The police claimed that Amritpal, who has been eluding arrest for the last four days, had used a bike to flee.

“There are several pictures of Amritpal Singh in different attires. We are releasing all of these pictures. I request you display them so that people can help us to arrest him in this case,” says Punjab IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill.

Meanwhile, a new CCTV footage is being widely circulated in which Amritpal Singh was seen crossing a toll plaza in Punjab on Tuesday. According to sources, Amritpal switched many cars to flee but the footage showed him leave in an SUV Maruti Suzuki Brezza car.

Inspector general of police (IGP) Sukhchain Singh Gill said that the Punjab police have recovered a Brezza car using which Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh fled from Mehatpur.

The IGP recounted the events that led to the extremist pro-Khalistani preacher eluding capture thus far. “Four accused who helped Amritpal escape have been arrested. A .315 bore rifle has been recovered from the Brezza car”, Gill said.

According to the IGP, Amritpal Singh stayed in a gurdwara in Nangal Ambian village after providing a slip to the police in Mehatpur. He later changed into a shirt and trousers and fled on two motorcycles.

According to reports, Punjab police discovered Amritpal Singh’s clothes in the SUV car recovered from the Bullar village in Jalandhar district’s Shahkot city on Tuesday. According to sources, Amritpal was observed wearing the same clothes when he fled the police trap on March 18. According to reports, the vehicle has been impounded at the Shahkot Police Station.

Police invoke NSA

The Punjab Police have said that a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against Amritpal Singh on March 18 and the strict National Security Act has been invoked. So far, 154 people have been detained in connection with the investigation.

“Those arrested for helping Amritpal to flee from Mehatpur include Manpreet Manna (28) of Nawan Killa village of Shahkot, Gurdeep Singh Deepa of Bal Naun in Nakodar, Harpreet Singh Happy (36) of Kotla Nodh Singh village of Bullowal Hoshiarpur and Gurbhej Singh alias Bheja of village Goindara of Faridkot”, the senior cop said, adding that three more people accompanying the wanted preacher to flee from Nangal Ambian Gurdwara are still absconding.

Punjab HC raps up police over “intelligence failure” resulting in Amritpal Singh evading arrest

Meanwhile, during the hearing of the habeas corpus petition on Amritpal Singh, the Punjab and Haryana High Court pulled up the Punjab police over the “intelligence failure” that led to the pro-Khalistan preacher giving police the slip.

“When there was a threat to the security of the country, what was the government doing till now? They were roaming around with weapons. How did he manage to escape despite so many police? What are 80,000 police doing when the country’s security is in danger?” the High Court said.

The Punjab police, in turn, told the High Court that the stringent National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against Amritpal Singh. Besides, a non-bailable warrant has also been issued against the Khalistani leader.

The AAP administration in the state responded to the High Court by saying it is doing all possible to apprehend Amritpal Singh.

Earlier in the day, OpIndia reported that a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reportedly reached Punjab on Tuesday. Media reports quoted sources as saying that the NIA is seeking details and documents related to the Amrit Pal’s Singh case from the Punjab police and may take over the case from today (Tuesday).

‘If released, he will jeopardize investigation’: CBI argues against Sisodia’s bail plea

OpIndia Staff
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‘If released, he will jeopardize investigation’: CBI argues against Sisodia’s bail plea

In a recent development in the ongoing investigation into the Delhi liquor policy scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has opposed the bail plea of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. The CBI argued that if Sisodia is granted bail, he may jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

“Sisodia was arrested on February 26, 2023, and if released on bail now, he will jeopardize our investigation as the destruction of evidence was a constant practice,” the agency stated.

CBI further said, “If he is granted bail, it will scuttle and compromise our investigation as the influence and interference is writ large.” It is pointed out by CBI that Manish Sisodia dealt with an unprecedented 18 ministries and he might use his influence to destroy the evidence in the case.

Special Public Prosecutor for CBI, Advocate DP Singh submitted that Manish Sisodia had told the agency that he destroyed phones because he wanted to upgrade. However, he never upgraded his phone, Singh claimed. He further said that the frequent destruction of phones was not at all an innocent act and was done to destroy the evidence.

“I’ve deep roots in society. I joined the investigation when I was called before CBI. I am a public servant. Two more public servants were made accused in this case and allegations against them are far graver than mine. But they are sent without arrest,” said Sisodia’s lawyer

The lawyer for Sisodia further claimed that there’s no documentary evidence of receiving kickbacks against Sisodia and that the change in excise policy was totally normal.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI and the ED in an ongoing investigation into the alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of GNCTD.

On Monday, Sisodia’s judicial custody was extended till April 3 by the Delhi court in the excise policy scam case which is being investigated by the CBI. He is currently in Enforcement Directorate’s custody in a related case.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Sisodia on the 9th of March in the Tihar jail, where he was lodged in connection with the case being investigated by the CBI relating to alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22. The CBI had arrested Sisodia on February 26.

The trial court had earlier observed that the accused had joined the investigation of this case on two earlier occasions, but it has also been observed that he has failed to provide satisfactory answers to most of the questions put to him during his examination and interrogation conducted and has thus, failed to legitimately explain the incriminating evidence which has allegedly surfaced against him in the investigation conducted so far

Newslaundry gets a ‘poop’ emoji from Twitter for inquiring about restrictions on some ‘journalist’ accounts in India: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Newslaundry gets a ‘poop’ emoji from Twitter for inquiring about restrictions on some ‘journalist’ accounts in India: Details

On Monday, March 20, Tanishka Sodhi, a ‘journalist’ for propaganda site Newslaundry, took to Twitter to whine over receiving a ‘poop’ emoji from Elon Musk’s Twitter Press desk for inquiring about the withholding of accounts of some ‘journalists.’

“Meanwhile, here’s @Twitter‘s official response to our questions about the legal demands on the basis of which journalists’ accounts are being withheld in India,” Tanishka Sodhi tweeted sharing the ‘poop’ emoji.

On Monday, the Newslaundry journalist took to Twitter to share a report by the news portal withholding the account of Canadian lawmaker Jagmeet Singh in India. Notably, Singh’s account was withheld after he, in a series of tweets, expressed “concerns” over the ongoing operation in Punjab and compared the Punjab Government’s efforts to curb pro-Khalistani elements to the steps taken by the government during the Punjab insurgency.

Sharing the link to Newlaundry’s report on this issue, Tanishka Sodhi sent a query to Twitter asking for its response on why the accounts of Jagmeet Singh and Rupi Kaur were withheld. In response, she received a ‘poop’ emoji from the microblogging site Twitter’s Press desk.

Surprisingly, Tanishka Sodhi’s baffled response came despite Elon Musk announcing on Sunday itself that all emails sent to the official Twitter press email would auto-respond with a poop emoji. “[email protected] now auto responds with (poop emoji),” Musk informed on March 19, Sunday.

Notably, the shift comes after Twitter’s previous email address for journalists with inquiries about the firm had gone dormant for months. It has been widely reported that the social media company axed its public relations staff in multiple rounds of layoffs following Musk’s takeover of Twitter in October.

Incidentally, Twitter isn’t Musk’s first firm without a press team. Tesla, too, lacks a press team. Even after investors asked Musk to bring back the Tesla press department, the billionaire said there was no need for one at any of his firms.

“Other companies spend money on advertising & manipulating public opinion, Tesla focuses on the product. I trust the people,” one of Musk’s tweets from April 2021 noted.

Musk fully eliminated Tesla’s press department in 2020, and no one in the firm has handled press inquiries since then. Musk is usually the one who takes to Twitter to handle customer complaints regarding Tesla products. Musk will probably employ a similar strategy at Twitter.

International toolkit gets activated to support Amritpal Singh, social media campaign sees a spike after Mo Dhaliwal sought Rihanna’s help

OpIndia Staff
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International toolkit gets activated to support Amritpal Singh, social media campaign sees a spike after Mo Dhaliwal sought Rihanna’s help

On March 21, hours after pro-Khalistan toolkit fame Mo Dhaliwal called upon singer and actress Rihanna to speak up for Punjab, the international toolkit got activated on social media platforms. OpIndia scrolled through Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to look for possible signs of a well-organised campaign supporting fugitive pro-Khalistan separatist leader Amritpal Singh. We noticed the hashtag #WeStandWithAmritpalSingh trending on Twitter, which is the main platform that is being used. Here is what we have found so far.

trending topic from India. Source: Twitter

The reach on Twitter

The hashtag started to appear on the social media platform Twitter on March 18, 2023, the day on which a massive crackdown by Punjab Police along with central agencies began. On the first day, around 5,500 tweets were made using the hashtag, including 2,800 tweets from India.

Source: Talkwalker

Between March 19 and March 20, the number of tweets skyrocketed to around 40,000, with 18,000 tweets from India and 11,800 from the US. 

Source: Talkwalker

On March 21, so far, 17,900 tweets had already been made, of which 8,400 were from India and 4,900 from the US. Notably, as the internet has been restored in some parts of Punjab, a spike is seen in the number of tweets from India. Though in smaller numbers, tweets from Canada (1,800) and Pakistan (430) are also adding to the narrative.

Source: Talkwalker

Please note that the stats are based on which country the user has selected in their profile. The actual data may vary.

Coming to the tweets, videos of International reporters were used to set the narrative. The first video here is from Satluj Network, which Mangat Group owns. Tony Mangat is the founder of Mangat Group.

Though the video appears to be from International media, one glance at its Facebook page makes it clear that it is owned by pro-Khalistani elements living in the US. Many videos on the channel are in Punjabi. Here is a post in Punjabi in support of Amritpal Singh. In the post, the channel spreads fake news that Amritpal has been arrested.

Source: Facebook/Satluj Network.

In the second post, a reporter from TNM quoted CNN’s hitjob and talked about how the internet shutdown affected people.

There have been thousands of such tweets posted on the microblogging platform with the said hashtag, aimed at inflaming tensions in India.

Source: Twitter
Source: Twitter
Source: Twitter

The hashtag is being shared on Instagram as well.

Hashtag was gaining traction on Instagram. Source: Instagram

Though TikTok is banned in India, it is being used to gain traction where the platform is famous. Many videos published in favour of Amritpal Singh using this particular hashtag had over 50,000 views.

TikTok is being used to set a narrative in the Amritpal Singh case. Source: TikTok.

Crackdown on Amritpal Singh

On March 18, Punjab Police and central agencies launched a massive crackdown on pro-Khalistan separatist leader Amritpal Singh. So far, over 110 associates of Singh have been arrested. However, he is still on the run. Internet was suspended on March 18 for one day, but the suspension was extended for two more days. Internet services were resumed in some areas of Punjab on March 21.

Police have alleged that Singh was in contact with ISI and received funds from Pakistan. Furthermore, it has been reported that Singh was creating a private army in the guise of an anti-drug drive and de-addiction centre. Following the crackdown, official Indian Government establishments in London and San Francisco were attacked.

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