India Blocks BBC Punjabi's Twitter Account Amid Police Crackdown On Pro-Khalistan Preacher Amritpal Singh

New Delhi: Amid ongoing police crackdown against pro-Khalistani elements in Punjab, the official Twitter account of the BBC Punjabi was blocked by the authorities. The message of Twitter profile of BBC News Punjabi` read: @bbcnewspunjabi`s account has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand. Though the BBC has not issued any statements yet on the latest development, social media users took to Twitter to express their opinions.

"Now BBC News Punjabi twitter handle blocked in India. The government is afraid of the media that criticizes the government and exposes the government. It seems as if an undeclared emergency is being imposed in India, especially in Punjab," tweeted Lakhvir Singh.

"BBC News Punjabi Twitter account blocked in India for spreading misinformation on law and order situation in Punjab and anti-India propaganda," wrote another Twitter user.

In a latest development, a purported selfie of fugitive Khalistani ideologue Amritpal Singh enjoying an energy drink, along with aide Papalpreet Singh, has gone viral on social media.

Also Read: 'Situation In Punjab Normal, No Truth In Sensationalist Lies': India's High Commissioner To UK On Amritpal Singh Crackdown

The photo depicts Amritpal Singh, for whom a manhunt has been launched, wearing a jacket.

However, police have not confirmed the timing of the photo and even its authenticity.

Earlier in March, the Centre blocked at least six youtube channels for allegedly promoting pro-Khalistan sentiments, news agency PTI quoted a senior official as saying.

Apurva Chandra, the secretary for information and broadcasting, claimed that during the last ten days, six to eight foreign-operated YouTube channels had been disabled. He said that the Punjabi-language channels were attempting to stir up unrest in the border state.

The government had, in January, banned the BBC documentary 'The Modi Question' on the 2002 Gujarat riots and termed it as a propaganda piece. The BBC has stood by the documentary, calling it 'rigorously researched according to highest editorial standards'.

Last month, the income tax Department conducted a survey at the BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai to investigate a charge of "deliberate non-compliance with Indian laws including transfer pricing rules and diversion of profits illegally".

(With IANS inputs)