Khalistanis on rampage; consulate in San Francisco attacked

NT Correspondent

New Delhi: The Khalistan issue is suddenly back in focus with a group of Sikhs attacking the Indian Consulate in San Francisco in the US and painting graffiti saying "Free Amritpal" on the outer wall of the building, a day after the Punjab police launched a manhunt to nab the self-styled preacher.

The San Fransisco incident came close on the heels of the shocking episode in London Sunday when Khalistan supporters pulled down the national flag at the Indian High Commission building The mob in San Franscisco smashed the glass on doors and windows of the consulate building with one of them smashing the windows with a sword. There were incidents elsewhere too; In Canberra, Khalistan supporters gathered outside the Australian parliament to protest against the police crackdown on Amritpal Singh and his associates in Punjab.

Meanwhile, the External Affairs Ministry summoned British deputy high commissioner Christina Scott late Sunday evening and demanded the arrest and prosecution of the pro-Khalistan elements involved in pulling down the national flag in London.

The ministry also demanded an explanation for the absence of proper security at the high commission. Reacting to this, UK officials said they will take the security of the High Commission "seriously" after Scotland Yard arrested one person in connection with the vandalism.