Chhattisgarh: CM Bhupesh Baghel orders probe into pro-Khalistan rally in Raipur
On Wednesday, a rally was taken out in Raipur by a group of people allegedly in support of pro-Khalistan activist and Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh, who is currently absconding. BJP legislators termed the incident as “unfortunate.”
Chattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday directed the police to take strict action against people raising anti-national slogans after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit out at the ruling Congress government in the state assembly over the “deteriorating” law and order situation.
He said that police will probe the rally held in Raipur on Wednesday allegedly in support of wanted pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh.
On Wednesday, a rally was taken out in Raipur by a group of people allegedly in support of pro-Khalistan activist and Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh, who is currently absconding. BJP legislators termed the incident as “unfortunate.”
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“I directed police to examine the video footage of the rally and take stern action against anyone found raising anti-national slogans or supporting such activities. Anti-national activities will not be tolerated in the state,” said the CM.
Earlier, the BJP legislators said that such a rally was taken out in the capital without the knowledge of the police alleging an “intelligence failure” by the Congress-led government.
State’s parliamentary affairs minister Ravindra Choubey also said that anyone indulging in anti-national activity in the state will not be spared.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Kuldeep Juneja, who hails from the Sikh community, denied that such a rally was taken out with pro-Khalistan slogans.
Diler Singh, a member of Baba Budha Saheb Committee, who was part of the rally, in a video statement called Amritpal Singh innocent and accused the Punjab government of falsely implicating him.
“Amritpal Singh was fighting against addiction and keeping youth away from it and also uniting them with religion,” he said.
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He said the rally was held against the “illegal” action being taken against Sikh people in Punjab.
“We live in Chhattisgarh and love the people of Chhattisgarh. We respect every religion. We don’t want Khalistan and have nothing to do with it. We only talk about Sikhism and we raise a voice for Sikhs”, Diler Singh said.
Following the rally, Raipur police issued a notice to the organisers of the event and asked them to furnish their reply by Thursday.