Shillong, March 26: An Indian journalist working in Washington has alleged that pro-Khalistani demonstrators shouted and physically assaulted him outside the Indian Embassy there.
Pro-Khalistani demonstrators attacked Lalit Jha while he was covering the demonstration on Saturday afternoon.
The journalist stated that the Khalistani supporters struck him with two sticks on his left ear. On his Twitter account, he also posted a video of the Khalistani supporters. On Sunday, Lalit thanked the US Secret Service for keeping him safe and assisting him in his work.
Pro-Khalistan slogans were shouted by turbaned men of all ages among the protesters. As per reports they were from various regions of the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) region. The organisers attacked the Punjab police for alleged human rights violations while using microphones to deliver speeches critical of India in both English and Punjabi.
Sharing on Twitter said, “Thank you @SecretService 4 my protection 2day 4 helping do my job, otherwise I would have been writing this from hospital. The gentleman below hit my left ear with these 2 sticks & earlier I had to call 911 & rushed 2 police van 4 safety fearing physical assault”.
The episode occurs in the wake of recent attacks on Indian embassies in London and San Francisco. Last Sunday, a gang of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and vandalised the San Francisco Indian Embassy. Two Khalistani flags were put up inside the Consulate’s grounds by the demonstrators, who were shouting pro-Khalistan slogans and scaling security barriers.
Also, a large “Free Amritpal” graffiti was spray-painted on the exterior wall of the San Francisco building.