Akali Dal leader Manjit Singh GK’s attackers arrested by US Police

A few days after the leader of Akali Dal Manjit Singh GK was attacked twice by pro-Khalistan supporters in California, the US police has arrested Jasbir Singh and his son from Yuba City in connection with the attack. As per sources, India had raised the issue of Khalistani extremism through appropriate diplomatic channels with the US after which the accused were taken into custody.

According to sources, the police has accessed a video clip in which Jasbir Singh was seen hitting a man (unsure whether it was Manjit Singh GK or his supporter) on the basis of which the arrest has been made after he was summoned for investigation. Sikhs for Justice will move the bail plea in a local court at 4 pm local time.

Read: Akali Dal Leader Manjit Singh GK Attacked By Khalistan Supporters In New York

Earlier in August, Manjit Singh GK was attacked by a group of Khalistan supporters. The first incident took place in New York where he and his family members were attacked. Minutes after the incident, Manjit Singh posted the video of the incident which took place while he was coming out of a TV studio after participating in a debate.

"A group of people attacked me and my relatives in New York. This will not scare me away from my path to serve the community. I have fought and I will fight till my last breath.Such cowardly incidents do not scare me," Manjit Singh tweeted tagging External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

 Within a span of five days, he was attacked amid chants of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ by pro-Khalistan supporters in Yuba City in Northern California, USA. He was scheduled to visit San Jose, however, things took an ugly turn as the Akali Dal leader was physically assaulted for the second time.

Read: Pro- Khalistan Supporters Attack Akali Dal Leader Manjit Singh GK For The Second Time In USA

Releasing a statement immediately after the incident, Manjit Singh GK said," I had come to Yuba city Gurudwara with other pilgrims. We had come here to pay our respects. Around 20-25 men entered the Gurudwara premises and attacked me. Considering the scenario and respecting the sanctity of a Gurudwara I told my supporter to not reach out to such elements. Despite the brutality with which they have attacked me, I am absolutely fine".

Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has alleged that the men who were behind the attack have links with Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI. She also added that these attackers enjoy the support of senior Congress leader and accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot case, Jagdish Tytler.

 "Heads of 'Sikhs for Justice' who are direct beneficiaries of ISI and work on their orders and are supported by those who are in direct touch with the likes of Jagdish Tytler, and Jasbeer Singh Lobana and his son Gagandeep Singh Lobana, were seen attacking him (Manjit Singh GK). Jasbeer Singh Lobana is the same person who has spent three months in jail for trying to intimidate an eyewitness against Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 massacre", she had said. 

Read: After Alleging Congress link to Manjit Singh GK's Attackers, Harsimrat Kaur Badal to Meet The US Envoy