The Punjab government lifted the restrictions in Moga, Sangrur, Ajnala subdivision in Amritsar, and a few locations in Mohali on Thursday while extending the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services in Tarn Taran and Ferozepur districts till Friday noon.
All gazetted and non-gazetted officers, non-gazette officers (NGOs), and executive police officers (EPOs) have had their leaves canceled, the director general of police (DGP), Punjab Police, stated in a message to all heads of the police offices in Punjab.
All previously approved leaves are now void, and the heads have been instructed to hold off on approving any new leaves until April 14.
In a recent audio tape, radical preacher Amritpal Singh denied rumors that he was in talks to surrender and urged the Akal Takht once more to call a “Sarbat Khalsa” congregation.
The Khalistani leader had requested that a “Sarbat Khalsa” be held on Baisakhi on April 14 in Bathinda, Punjab, by the highest Sikh authority, Akal Takht.
The Sikh organization has yet to decide on the matter, though. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) stated that the Akal Takht president alone has the authority to decide whether to call such a congregation after consultation with Sikh intellectuals and experts.
