Amritpal Singh, 30, rose to prominence in latest months demanding the creation of Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland.

A manhunt for a hardline Sikh preacher in India has entered its third day as authorities shut cell web in the entire of Punjab state and arrest greater than 100 of his supporters.

Amritpal Singh, 30, rose to prominence in latest months demanding the creation of Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland, and along with his hardline interpretation of Sikhism at rallies in rural pockets of the western state of some 30 million individuals.

Last month, Singh and his supporters, armed with swords, knives and weapons, raided a police station after considered one of his aides was arrested for alleged assault and tried kidnapping.

The brazen daytime raid on the outskirts of Amritsar – dwelling to the holiest Sikh shrine, the Golden Temple – left a number of police injured and heaped stress on authorities to behave towards Singh.

Punjab police late on Sunday stated it “made [more] preventive arrests” of individuals “attempting to disturb law and order in Punjab”. Singh’s uncle and driver had been amongst these arrested, Indian media stories stated on Monday.

“Thirty-four arrests have been made today. A total of 112 persons have been arrested so far … and there is complete peace and harmony in the state,” it added.

On Monday, there was a serious police presence throughout Punjab, particularly in rural pockets and round Singh’s village of Jallupur Khera, native media reported.

The police stated its “manhunt” was ongoing and the general “situation is under control, citizens [are] requested to not believe in rumours”.

Local media stories stated a ban on cell web and quick messaging service (SMS) has been prolonged throughout Punjab, with neighbouring Haryana state additionally on excessive alert.

All cell web providers, all SMS providers (besides banking & cell recharge) & all dongle providers supplied on cell networks, besides the voice name, within the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab suspended until March 21 (12:00 hours) within the curiosity of public security: Dept of… https://t.co/kkq3eD8DLe pic.twitter.com/BMNM5uOvDi

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023

It was anxious that social media may very well be used to unfold rumours and misinformation which might spark road violence, officers stated.

Indian authorities ceaselessly shut down cell web providers, notably within the restive northern area of Indian-administered Kashmir.

UK diplomat summoned

India summoned the “senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi” late on Sunday after some Singh supporters allegedly entered and vandalised the Indian High Commission in London.

VIDEO | India on Sunday evening summoned British deputy excessive commissioner and demanded a proof over the whole “absence of security” after movies of knocking down the Indian flag on the Indian mission in London by pro-Khalistan components emerged on social media. (No audio) pic.twitter.com/G2L6x3YlEE

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 20, 2023

The summon was “to convey strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements” in London, India’s international ministry stated in a press release.

New Delhi additionally sought “immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute” the suspects and demanded “an explanation for the complete absence of the British security that allowed these elements to enter” its official premises.

The British excessive commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, late on Sunday condemned “the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises” as “totally unacceptable” on Twitter.

Punjab – with about 58 p.c Sikhs and 39 p.c Hindus – was rocked by a violent separatist motion for Khalistan within the Eighties and early 90s when hundreds of individuals died.

India has typically complained to respective governments over the actions of Sikh hardliners who, it says, have been attempting to revive the motion with an enormous monetary push.