As pro-Khalistanis in Punjab ran amok with guns, swords, here is why cops stayed quiet

Amritpal Singh was mysteriously brought to Punjab from Dubai. He leads a movement demanding a Khalistan state and his actions have been violent most of the time

The Punjab police have come in for severe criticism for taking back an FIR lodged against the aide of pro-Khalistan activist, Amritpal Singh.

Following violent clashes on Thursday, the police said that they were withdrawing the FIR lodged against Singh's close aide, Lovepreet Toofan.

Scores of Singh's supporters took to the streets and clashed with the police with guns and swords. The police however have been accused of showing restraint and withdrawing the FIR.

Now the police has clarified that they exercised restraint as they did not want the situation to go out of control.

Reports quoting a senior police officer said that the police stood down because the attackers armed with guns and swords and demanding the release of one of their arrested associates, were also carrying a Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs.

Senior Superintendent of Police of Punjab, Harpal Singh Randhawa said," what happened yesterday should not have happened. The Punjab police did not retaliate because Amritpal Singh had brought the Guru Granth Sahib with him. If we had retaliated, things would have gone awry. We respected Guru Granth Sahib."

Randhawa said, "Amritpal had earlier said that he would hold only a peaceful dharna. But he cheated us. His men attacked the Punjab police. But we did not retaliate at all because Guru Granth Sahib was in front." I would like to salute the Punjab police personnel who did not retaliate."

"There is a rule of law in Punjab. Amritpal is not above the law. If we had taken even a little action, the situation could have worsened across Punjab. We did what we saw fit. Whatever happened yesterday, action will be taken according to the law" the officer also said.

The official also rejected the criticism that the police response would embolden those like Amritpal Singh who have called for a separate nation of Sikhs called Khalistan and that it was a sign of weakening law and order under the state's Aam Aadmi Party government.

"No Khalistani movement is going to happen in Punjab. The people of Punjab and Police have finished terrorism from Punjab. There are some bad guys. Amritpal is being called wrong everywhere today. We want to assure the entire country that there is rule of law in Punjab," he said.

Randhawa also said that the case against Lovepreet Toofan has not been dropped. A special investigation team has been formed and everyone's role will be probed, the official said.