Twitter blocks BBC's Punjabi handle amid manhunt for Amritpal Singh

Amid a crackdown on 'Waris Punjab De' chief and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh, the Twitter account of BBC News' Punjabi language was withheld in India by authorities.

The message of Twitter profile of BBC News Punjabi' read: @bbcnewspunjabi's account has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand.

Meanwhile, BBC, or the British Broadcasting Corporation, has not yet commented on it.

According to media reports indicate that over 100 Twitter handles and multiple YouTube channels have been blocked as the Punjab government and the centre hunt down Amritpal Singh.

Amritpal, who continues to elude the cops, was last spotted by CCTV cameras in Patiala even as Punjab Police's hunt for the Khalistani leader entered tenth day on Monday without a breakthrough. He has been on the run since March 18. Amritpal was said to be hiding at a relative's house there.

Earlier on Sunday, the Punjab Police had arrested a man for sheltering Amritpal's gunman. The arrested man was identified as one Balwant Singh of Khanna. Although it was learnt that Balwant sheltered Amritpal's close aid Tajinder Singh Gill alias Gorkha Baba (42), the police have not found any links connecting him directly with the Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh.