'It Shows Sikhs Are Oppressed': Amritpal Singh's Aide Lovepreet After Release

This comes a day after violence broke out between supporters of Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh and the police.

Waris Punjab De founder Amritpal Singhs associate Lovepreet Toofan along with supporters after his release from the Amritsar Central Jail, in Amritsar, on Friday, 24 February. 

(Photo: PTI)

Lovepreet Singh aka Toofan Singh, a close aide of 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh was released from Amritsar Jail on Friday, 24 February.

Following his release, Lovepreet told the media, "The Sikh community has been enslaved. We have to admit this. My aim is to unite the Sikh community and end this slavery".

"The police treated me with respect as a Sikh. I am grateful to them as well as to all the organisations who protested for my release".

This comes a day after violence broke out between supporters of Amritpal Singh and the police outside Ajnala police station over Lovepreet Singh's arrest.

What the Police Said

DSP Sanjeev Kumar submitted in court that, "During the investigation, it was found that he was not involved in the present case. Therefore it is prayed that the accused Lovepreet Singh @ Tufan Singh may kindly be released from custody".

The subdivisional judicial magistrate in Ajnala observed that, "...during the course of the investigation, it was found that the accused is not guilty of any offences and that he was not present at the time of the commission of the offences".

What Was the Case?

On 18 February, the Amritsar police picked up Lovepreet Singh in connection with the alleged kidnapping of one Varinder Singh, a resident of Chamkaur Sahib in Rupnagar district. Varinder has accused Amritpal Singh and his supporters of kidnapping him near Damdami Taksal in Ajnala on 15 February, taking him to Jandiala and assaulting him.

Based on Varinder Singh's complaint, the police picked up Lovepreet Singh. However, his family alleged that he had been wrongly accused in the case.

The Protest

Following this, Amritpal Singh's supporters began gathering outside Ajnala police station on 23 February.

Soon a huge crowd had gathered outside the police station and tried to enter its premises.

The situation went out of control with the protesters and police clashing with each other.

A number of police personnel as well as protesters were injured in the protest.

Speaking to the media on Friday, 24 February, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that "The statements of police personnel will be recorded and appropriate action will be taken against those behind the violence".

However, Amritpal Singh warned the police against registering any cases regarding what happened on 23 February.

"If the police register an FIR regarding what happened yesterday, we will protest again. It is best if we close this matter here. The police should be taking action against people who filed a false FIR (in the Varinder Singh case)," he said.