Amid police crackdown on radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on Sunday said governments should refrain from creating an "atmosphere of terror for political interests". He said governments should refrain from adopting the "practice of oppression and illegal detention" of youth who speak for their rights in a democratic manner, and asserted that Punjab has already suffered a lot and it is now necessary to move towards a better future. The Jathedar said, “In the memories of Punjab, there are deep wounds of oppression of the past governments and no government has ever been serious to take corrective measures.” “This context cannot be ignored that there is a lot of dissatisfaction in Sikh youth against the discriminations and excesses by successive governments of time. But there are also big powers which constantly remain waiting for opportunities to play with the emotions of the Sikh youth to make them directionless and scapegoats,” he said.
