Tense protests and tight security outside Indian High Commission in London

The punjab police has initiated a crackdown against pro-Khalistan radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his aides. Efforts are on to trace Amritpal Singh who escaped from the police

Khalistani protesters gathered opposite the Indian High Commission in London on Wednesday to protest the recent police action in Punjab. The atmosphere became especially tense from time to time with protesters throwing flares and water bottles at the High Commission and some pushing at barricades set up by the police.

After being criticised for lax security during Sunday’s protest, when the national flag was taken down from the High Commission building, at least a hundred police officers stood guard on both sides of the road and were on standby in the Aldwych neighbourhood.

Prior to the planned protest, which was organised by the Federation of Sikh Organisations and the Sikh Youth Jathebandia, the Metropolitan Police told The Hindu that adequate security was in place.

“I think we have a very good policing operation … in place,” a Sargeant Scott told The Hindu on Wednesday morning.

One police officer estimated for that there were “a couple of thousand” protesters at Wednesday’s demonstration.

A very large Indian flag was fixed to the ‘India House‘ (the High Commission) building front, with flags in each window and the national colours draped across the length of the roof.