Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Search for Sikh separatist continues as Indian state extends internet ban

Amritpal Singh has been advocating for the creation of Khalistan, a separate homeland for Sikhs, and authorities have been conducting a major search for him since Saturday

Search for Sikh separatist continues as Indian state extends internet ban

The police in northern India extended a mobile internet blackout across a state with a population of around 30 million on Monday (20), as they continued their search for a radical Sikh preacher, Amritpal Singh.

The extension followed reports of Singh's supporters vandalising India's consulate in San Francisco and a similar disturbance in London. Singh has been advocating for the creation of Khalistan, a separate homeland for Sikhs, and authorities have been conducting a major search for him since Saturday (18).


As of Monday, 114 people had been arrested, but Singh’s whereabouts remain unknown.

The 24-hour mobile internet shutdown, which was initially scheduled to end at noon on Monday, until noon (0630 GMT) was prolonged for an additional day.

Verified online footage by AFP depicted men breaking doors and windows of the Indian consulate in San Francisco after they had dismantled barricades placed outside the building.

Several dozen protesters gathered outside the Indian consulate in San Francisco late on Sunday, with the phrase #FreeAmritpal sprayed on the property.

India lodged a "strong protest" with the State Department and US embassy in New Delhi, reminding the US of its basic obligation to protect diplomatic representation. While the Indian foreign ministry urged Washington to take necessary measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The State Department condemned the vandalism at the Indian consulate and affirmed its commitment to safety and security.

The British high commissioner to India was also summoned to voice displeasure at Singh's supporters' vandalism outside the Indian high commission in London. In India, flag-waving Sikhs chanted slogans outside the UK embassy in New Delhi on Monday (20).

Punjab has a history of violent separatist movements for Khalistan in which thousands of people died in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Indian officials have often accused Sikh hardliners in the Indian diaspora of attempting to revive insurgency with significant financial support.

Amritpal Singh and his armed supporters allegedly raided a police station last month after one of Singh's aides was arrested.

Security sources claim that Pakistan is backing Singh, who is demanding the creation of Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland.

The incident has increased pressure on authorities to act, resulting in a mobile internet blackout particularly in the restive northern region of Kashmir.

(With inputs from AFP)

More For You

Air India flight crash
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
Getty Images

Air India crash probe finds fuel to engines was cut off before impact

Highlights

 
     
  • Fuel to both engines of the Air India flight was cut off seconds before the crash
  •  
  • A pilot was heard questioning the other over the cut-off; both denied initiating it.
  •  
  • The Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people.
  •  
  • Investigators are focusing on fuel switch movement; full analysis may take months.

FUEL control switches to both engines of the Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff were moved from the "run" to the "cutoff" position seconds before the crash, according to a preliminary investigation report released early Saturday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chinese vessel tracked in Bay of Bengal after disabling identification system

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have consistently reported Chinese research vessel presence. (Representational image: Getty Images)

Chinese vessel tracked in Bay of Bengal after disabling identification system

A Chinese research vessel was detected operating in the Bay of Bengal near Indian waters while attempting to conceal its presence by disabling its Automatic Identification System (AIS), according to a report by The Economic Times, citing French maritime intelligence firm Unseenlabs.

The French company conducted a 16-day satellite-based survey tracking ships through radio frequency emissions. It monitored 1,897 vessels, with 9.6 per cent showing no AIS activity, indicating attempts to avoid detection. The survey raised concerns amid increased Chinese activity in the region.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian-inspired garden earns
five awards at Hampton Court

(From left) Malcolm Anderson (RHS, head of sustainability) Clare Matterson (RHS director general), Lorraine Bishton (Subaru UK and Ireland, managing director) Andrew Ball (director, Big Fish Landscapes) Mike McMahon and Jewlsy Mathews with the medals

Asian-inspired garden earns five awards at Hampton Court

BRITISH Asians are being encouraged to take up gardening by a couple who have won a record five medals at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

“It’s a contemporary reimagining of a traditional walled garden, highlighting the British and Irish rainforests,” said Jewlsy Mathews, who was born in Britain of parents from Kerala, a southern Indian state known for its lush vegetation.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England

iStock

England faces widespread heat alerts and hosepipe bans amid rising temperatures

Highlights:

  • Amber heat health alerts in place for large parts of England
  • Hosepipe bans announced in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex
  • Temperatures could reach 33°C over the weekend
  • Health risks rise, especially for elderly and vulnerable groups

Heat warnings in effect as UK braces for another hot weekend

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England, with temperatures expected to climb to 33°C in some areas over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated the warning at 12 pm on Friday, with it set to remain in place until 9 am on Monday.

The alerts cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-east, south-west, East of England, and London. Additional yellow alerts were issued for the north-east, north-west, and Yorkshire and the Humber, starting from midday Friday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Essex ladybird invasion

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear

Dee-anne Markiewicz / SWNS

Swarms of ladybirds invade Essex coastline amid soaring temperatures

Highlights:

  • Ladybird swarms reported across Essex and Suffolk coastal towns
  • Hot weather likely driving the sudden surge in population
  • Sightings include Point Clear, Shoebury, Clacton and Felixstowe
  • Similar outbreaks occurred in 1976 during another hot UK summer

Sudden surge in ladybird numbers across the southeast

Millions of ladybirds have been spotted swarming towns and villages along the Essex coast, with similar sightings stretching into Suffolk. Residents have reported unusually high numbers of the red and black-spotted insects, particularly near coastal areas, with the recent hot weather believed to be a major contributing factor.

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear, a village near St Osyth in Essex, where the insects could be seen piling on top of each other on driftwood and plants.

Keep ReadingShow less