Avtar Singh Khanda had led the protests at the Indian High Commission in London
New Delhi:
Khalistani separatist Avtar Singh Khanda, a close associate of jailed radical preacher Amritpal Singh, died today in the UK.
Sources say Avtar Singh Khanda was admitted to a Birmingham hospital after he complained of uneasiness on Monday.
The exact cause of the separatist’s death is not clear yet. Some reports suggest that he had been suffering from blood cancer.
Avtar Singh Khanda had led the protests at the Indian High Commission in London earlier this year while Amritpal Singh was on the run.
In March, the massive Indian flag was pulled down at the Indian High Commission by Khalistani separatists, protesting against the police crackdown on Amritpal Singh.
Cellphone videos posted on social media showed protesters climbing the building and taking down the Indian flag. Avtar Singh Khanda was seen leading the protest in the videos.
India had registered strong protest over the incident, saying “the UK government’s “indifference” to Indian diplomats and personnel was “unacceptable”.
After eluding Punjab Police for 35 days, separatist and radical preacher Amritpal Singh surrendered at a Gurdwara in Punjab’s Moga on April 23.
Punjab Police had launched a massive crackdown against Amritpal Singh and members of his outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’ on March 18, a month after the separatist and his supporters broke into a police station with swords and guns for the release of one of his aides. Six policemen were injured in the clash.
The ‘top secret’ action was a coordinated effort between Aam Aadmi Party-ruled Punjab, the Centre, and BJP-governed Assam. Sources say Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had discussed the plan to arrest Amritpal Singh with Home Minister Amit Shah in a meeting on March 2.
Home Ministry sources had said that Amritpal singh was planning to launch a statewide procession to baptize the youth to carry out suicide attacks. The radical preacher was using de-addiction centres to stockpile weapons illegally sourced from Pakistan, they said.
