In connection with a planned rally scheduled by some British Sikh groups, there is an increased security presence and barricades outside the Indian High Commission here on Wednesday.
Since before the protest on Sunday that resulted in a violent disturbance at the India House, banners for a so-called “National Protest” have been circulating on social media, organized by organizations like the Federation of Sikh Organizations (FSO) and Sikh Youth Jathebandia.
The government of India lodged a strong protest over the absence of security measures at its diplomatic post, which resulted in demonstrators waving Khalistan flags shattering windows, and attempting to tear down the tricolor.
Numerous uniformed police officers have been patrolling the Aldwych neighborhood since the weekend, and there are Metropolitan Police vans parked in India Place.
Wednesday’s scheduled demonstration claims to be “in response to discriminatory actions of the Indian Police in Punjab”.
Statement by Indian High Commission in London
The Indian High Commission in London has been attempting to dispel misinformation about events in Punjab, particularly the police action against the separatist organization ‘Waris Punjab De’.
Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami tweeted, “Let me assure all our friends here in the UK, especially brothers and sisters with relatives in Punjab, that there is no truth to the sensationalist lies being circulated on social media”, through its official Twitter handle.
He further said, “The situation in your ancestral homeland is not what is being reported. The elected chief minister of the state and the local police authorities have put out detailed information, including interviews on television, please watch these. Do not believe the small handful of people putting out fiction and disinformation”.
Doraiswami provided an update on the enforcement action since March 18, stating that the Punjab Police initiated an operation against members of ‘Waris Punjab De’ against whom criminal proceedings have been filed, specifically against Amritpal Singh, the organization’s chief.
Indian High Commission also stated that all arrested people’s constitutional rights to legal representation will be preserved and that all communication services, including mobile phone networks and the internet, are operational in the state.
Following the vandalism, a number of diaspora organizations gathered for a celebratory “We Stand By High Commission of India” protest on Tuesday in front of India House in London.
According to the Metropolitan Police, inquiries continue, and one male arrested on suspicion of violent disorder has been bailed to appear in court in mid-June.
Meanwhile, police in New Delhi have removed barricades “that created hurdles” for commuters outside the British High Commission, but the diplomatic mission’s security remains intact, officials said on Wednesday.
(With input from PTI)
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