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Jailed Pro-Khalistan MP Amritpal Singh to Announce New Political Party from Dibrugarh Jail

January 2, 2025, 5:44 pm

Amritpal Singh, the Khadoor Sahib MP currently incarcerated in Dibrugarh jail, Assam, under the National Security Act (NSA), is set to launch a new regional political party on January 14. The announcement will coincide with a rally titled ‘Panth Bachao, Punjab Bachao,’ which is scheduled to take place during the ‘Maghi Da Mela’ in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab.

The controversial Sikh preacher was last airlifted from Dibrugarh to Delhi to take his oath as a Lok Sabha MP on July 5, 2024. Singh was arrested under the NSA on April 23, 2023, following a 36-day manhunt by Punjab police, along with nine of his aides. The NSA allows for the detention of individuals deemed a threat to national security for up to one year without formal charges.

Amritpal Singh was appointed as ‘Waris Punjab De’ in 2022.

Amritpal Singh was appointed as the head of the Punjabi political group ‘Waris Punjab De’ in 2022. During his tenure, he expressed pro-Khalistani sentiments in his speeches and was implicated in the Ajnala police station attack, where armed men assaulted police officers following the arrest of one of their aides.

In September of this year, Singh’s father, Tasrem Singh, also expressed a desire to form a new political party in Punjab aimed at addressing the need for “welfare for all.” After offering prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Tasrem Singh and his wife addressed the media, stating that a new party is essential to strengthen Punjab during this sensitive phase.

“The party will be for the welfare of all and will follow the principle of ‘manas ki jaat sabhay eke pechanbo’ (equality of mankind),” Tasrem Singh said during the fourth foundation day of Amritpal’s organization, Waris Punjab De. The upcoming rally and party launch are expected to draw significant attention amid ongoing political tensions in the region.

Key Arrests in Jalandhar: Police Bust Drug and Arms Smuggling Racket Linked to Amritpal Singh

October 27, 2024, 7:20 pm

In a breakthrough, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma, arrested four individuals on Sunday, including a key aide of Amritpal Singh, for their involvement in illegal arms smuggling, drug trafficking, extortion, and other criminal activities.

Criminal Network Disrupted

Commissioner Sharma revealed that this racket had been operational within the state and was planning significant actions to disrupt law and order. The arrested individuals have been identified as:

Lakhwinder Singh from Haibowal village, Garhshankar Police Station, Hoshiarpur
Gurbhej Singh from Gudara village, Bajakhana Police Station, Ferozepur
Satinder Singh (alias Kala) from Palahi village, Mehtiana Police Station, Hoshiarpur
Bharat (alias Bhau) from Barar Mohalla, Patti, Tarn Taran

Sharma explained that Harshdeep Singh, who had been previously arrested, was closely associated with Lakhwinder Singh, a known drug dealer with multiple criminal cases. Lakhwinder had been supplying drugs to Harshdeep, who was also involved in trading illegal arms sourced from Gurbhej Singh, a close associate of Amritpal Singh from Waris Punjab De.

Notably, Gurbhej Singh had been incarcerated in Kapurthala Jail for the Amritpal case and the Ajnala police station attack, where he met Lakhwinder Singh (alias Lakhi), who was serving time for a murder case. The two subsequently began smuggling arms, ammunition, and drugs across the state.

Evidence and Ongoing Investigation

Phone records and messages uncovered from their devices revealed plans to target rivals. An FIR (No. 253 dated 19-10-2024) has been registered at New Baradari Police Station, Jalandhar, under sections 25, 54, and 59 of the Arms Act and sections 21, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act. Authorities recovered ten cartridges of 12-bore, eight cartridges of 315-bore, and 100 grams of heroin from the accused. Further investigation into the case is ongoing.

PUNJAB POLICE CRACKS BHODI MURDER CASE

October 19, 2024, 3:09 am

The Punjab Police has solved the murder case of Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau, also known as Bhodi, with the arrest of three members of Gangster-turned-Terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla, who emerged as the mastermind, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Friday. During investigations, evidence has come on record indicating the role of Amritpal Singh (MP from Khadoor Sahib) of Waris Punjab De (WPD) in the murder conspiracy. As per some statements recorded in the investigation, the murder was carried out at the behest of Amritpal Singh.

The DGP accompanied by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill, DIG Faridkot Range Ashwani Kapur and SSP Faridkot Dr Pragya Jain was addressing a press conference at Punjab Police Headquarters here.
Those arrested have been identified as Bilal Ahmed alias Fauji, Guramardeep Singh alias Pontu and Arshdeep Singh alias Jhandu.

As per the information, Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau alias Bhodi was shot dead on October 9, 2024 while returning back home from the village Gurudwara Sahib on his motorcycle Hero Splendor bearing registration number PB-04U-3258.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that investigations have revealed that the murder of Gurpreet Singh was masterminded from abroad by Arsh Dalla and other persons. Different modules have been used for conducting reccee and executing the murder, with separate handlers based abroad, he said, while adding that the criminals have used cut outs to mask the conspiracy.

“The three arrested persons constituted part of the reccee module, being handled by Canada-based Karamveer Singh alias Gora. The reccee module passed on crucial information to the shooter module through their handlers and cut outs,” he said.
The DGP said that the members of the shooter module have been identified and police teams are on manhunt to nabbing them.

During investigations, evidence has come on record indicating the role of Amritpal Singh of Waris Punjab De (WPD) in the murder conspiracy. As per some statements recorded in the investigation, the murder was carried out at the behest of Amritpal Singh.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the police would investigate the case on basis of evidence in a professional manner. All angles and theories of crime would be examined threadbare and investigated in accordance with law, he said, while adding that the criminal liability of all persons figuring in the investigations would be determined in accordance with the evidence available as per law.
Sharing operation details, the DGP said that acting swiftly, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising police officials from the Faridkot district and State Special Operations Cell was constituted and separate teams assigned the tasks of visiting the scene of crime and collecting physical and digital evidences.

He said that the CCTV footage at the scene of crime was examined and teams were deputed to follow the forward and backward linkages of CCTVs to determine the entry and exit routes of the assailants. Meticulous investigations by the Faridkot District Police led to analysis of CCTV footage along a 125 km stretch, which helped the police in establishing the suspects’ movements and develop lead, he said.
He said that mobile tower dumps at strategic places were obtained and analyzed through big data analysis tools.

Channi’s Remarks On Amritpal Kick Up A Row

July 27, 2024, 1:40 am

Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s remarks regarding fellow State MP, Amritpal Singh, triggered a huge controversy, with the BJP accusing the Congress of taking up cudgels on behalf of a Khalistani sympathizer. The Congress was quick to distance itself from the statement made during the discussion on the Union budget in the Lok Sabha and said that they were his personal views. Channi said that by keeping Amritpal in detention, the BJP had imposed an undeclared emergency and was preventing him from speaking on behalf of the 20 lakh people of his Khadoor Saheb constituency. The former Chief Minister further accused the BJP of speaking repeatedly about the emergency when it was itself depriving a member of his freedom of speech.

What has caused the row is the manner in which the BJP has interpreted the observations, thereby putting the Congress on the defensive. Obviously, politics is in play, and Channi finds himself isolated, though his primary objective appeared to be to drive home the point that the representative from Khadoor Saheb was unable to speak in Parliament, because he had been arrested under the NSA.
Amritpal has been under detention in the Dibrugarh jail for attempting to get an associate released from police custody. He was elected as an independent during the Lok Sabha polls, and before the commencement of the budget session, was administered the oath at the Speaker’s office while still under detention. His attending the Parliament is subject to the permission which has to be granted by the relevant court. The issue that is being debated in political circles is that when Amritpal agreed to contest the Lok Sabha polls, he accepted the prevailing system, and even if he had some radical views on Khalistan, he wanted to remain within the constitutional set-up to raise his voice.

Secondly, his affirmation in the constitution was complete after he took the oath and under the law, till he is convicted for the allegations made against him, he should be presumed to be innocent. Channi as per the understanding of most people in the State, does not endorse the support for the Khalistan movement, but was simply attempting to project himself as the champion of civil liberties. His reference to the Emergency was to drive home the point that while the current dispensation was raking up the suspension of human rights during that period, what was happening now was not any better. This he said in reference to Amritpal.

The Congress and the BJP have had many showdowns on the Emergency with the present government being accused of not comprehending that after people had punished the grand old party in 1977, they had brought it back within three years. Emergency when it was declared was under the existing provisions of the Constitution at that time but yes, there were reports of excesses for which the Congress including Indira Gandhi lost in the Parliamentary polls. At that time, the Opposition had singled out Bansi Lal, VC Shukla, Om Mehta and Sanjay Gandhi for being a part of a caucus that controlled things. While Bansi Lal and Shukla became the BJP’s allies, the saffron brigade also admitted Sanjay’s wife and son to their party.

In addition, Jagmohan, who was the Vice Chairman of the DDA and held responsible for the Turkman Gate incident also joined the BJP and served as minister in the Vajpayee government. Many RSS activists were arrested but the organization subsequently supported the Congress in 1980 and the 1984 elections. The short point is that the Emergency was a bad phase but many who were blamed for the accesses later were in the BJP. So far as Amritpal Singh is concerned, he is currently the head of `Waris Punjab De’, an organization founded by Deep Sidhu, an actor and activist, who had entered the Red Fort during the farmers agitation on the Republic Day, and hoisted the Nishan Saheb. Sidhu died under mysterious circumstances later, and many in Punjab believed that he was set up by intelligence agencies. Otherwise, how would anyone get into the Red Fort amidst heavy security Bandobast.

There are numerous people in the political class who also feel that Amritpal could also be an extension of the same line of thinking, and the talk of Khalistan was highly exaggerated, since less than five percent people in Punjab identified with the cause, the majority being happy to be part of the national mainstream. Thus, Channi’s statement in Parliament has to be analysed in the backdrop of what has been happening in Punjab. There is unease amongst farmers and the matter needs to be addressed urgently. The farmers are not separatists and they should be viewed in this light. The former Chief Minister may have waded into a controversy, but there can be no ostrich like approach on Punjab, which is a border state. The country cannot pass through another crisis which would take years to resolve. The primary concern of the authorities both at the Centre and in the State should be to ensure that drugs and narcotics are curbed and gradually eliminated. One has to focus on the larger picture of the State rather than singling out Channi. Those who have strayed away need to be brought back into the mainstream. This should be the primary objective.

HC Receives Plea Challenging Amritpal Singh’s Election

July 24, 2024, 1:37 pm

A petition has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court contesting the election of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh. The petition was filed by independent candidate Vikramjit Singh. The High Court has yet to take cognizance of the plea.

Amritpal, along with nine other members of his organization, has been detained under the National Security Act and has been held in Dibrugarh’s central jail since April of last year. On March 18, 2023, they were apprehended as part of a crackdown by the Centre and Punjab on the group Waris Punjab De.

Amritpal was arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) on April 23, 2023, in a Moga hamlet, following a nearly month-long pursuit since his escape on March 18, 2023. In April, the Punjab government reinstated the NSA against all of them. He was elected as an MP from Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in the recently held parliamentary elections.

The plea accuses a violation of election expenditure laws, including failure to disclose costs on voter slips, public meetings, cars, social media, and sponsored press.

“The respondent NO.5 (Amritpal Singh) has engaged some professional religious preacher for his campaign, and he has used his religious identity to seek votes on the name of religion, which is also illegal and as such amounts to corrupt practices,” the plea states.

“The team and family of the respondent No.5 visited various religious places, Gurudwaras and Hindu religious Nagar Kirtan. They have released the manifesto of respondent No.5 from a gurdwara. Meetings were held in various gurdwaras for his support and slogans were raised in his favour. Thus, the respondent has not only failed to maintain her sanctity of the religious place but has also violated the provisions of the Representation of the People Act by seeking votes in the nine religious places and as such his election is liable to be set aside on this score alone,” the plea stated further.

Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa On Punjab: ‘Will Talk To Amritpal Singh, Time For New Panthic Outfit’

July 24, 2024, 1:11 pm

Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa Maloya, a 45-year-old independent MP from Punjab’s Faridkot and the son of Indira Gandhi’s assassin Beant Singh, recently offered an update on Punjab ahead of the upcoming Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections. Maloya argues that it is necessary to build a new Panthic organization in the border state.

He added that once Amritpal Singh is released from jail, he will discuss this with him and begin working on it. Amritpal Singh, head of Waris Punjab De, is currently imprisoned in Assam’s Dibrugarh Prison under the National Security Act.

He further stated that if Amritpal Singh’s father makes a choice in his absence, they can continue to work on establishing a Panthic outfit in Punjab.

“I strongly feel the need for a new Panthic outfit in Punjab. I will talk to Khadoor Sahib MP Bhai Amritpal Singh about it once he is out of jail. If a consensus is reached, we can plan how to move ahead in this direction. If Amritpal’s father decides in the absence of his son, we can still start working to create a new Panthic outfit for Punjab,” Sarabjeet singh.

He further stated that the necessity for a new Panthic outfit is clear, since the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Simranjeet Singh Mann-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) have failed to give any leadership.

Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa Maloya went on to say that if this had not been the case, neither he nor Amritpal Singh would have been elected.

Amritpal Singh Challenges Detention Orders In Punjab And Haryana High Court

July 20, 2024, 6:58 pm

Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, who is imprisoned in Dibrugarh Central Jail, filed a petition with the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday, seeking to nullify “entire proceedings” launched against him “under the National Security Act, including detention orders”.

Amritpal claimed that his incarceration under the NSA is unlawful and hence should be overturned. His right to life and liberty had been entirely violated in “an unusual and cruel manner by not only invoking the preventive detention Act for more than a year, but also by detaining him away from Punjab,” he said.

“It serves no purpose whatsoever except to punish the petitioner for being vocal against the state and the Central governments on major political issues, which is a democratic right of every citizen of this country,” he stated.

“The grounds of detention are primarily based on social media posts uploaded by different persons across the world, which have hardly any impact in the state of Punjab and possibly the security of the state of India cannot be so fragile as to be impacted by social media posts.”

He also added the Amritsar district magistrate could not pass any orders “with respect to the security of India under the provisions of the NSA and only the Central or state government could issue the same”.

Amritpal Singh’s Brother Harpreet Detained In Drug Case, Father Cries ‘Conspiracy’

July 12, 2024, 2:09 pm

Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh’s big brother Harpreet was detained on Thursday evening with 5 grams of ICE (Methamphetamine) drug in Phillaur.

The Jalandhar Rural Police detained Harpreet Singh with another person Lovepreet Singh alias Luv, while they were travelling to Ludhiana.

As per PTI report, Harpreet Singh was involved in dispatching work in transport. Later reacting to the arrest, Amritpal Singh’s father cried ‘conspiracy’.

Speaking about the arrest, Father Tarsem Singh said,

‘This is a conspiracy against our family, aides and supporters of Amritpal Singh. We have already apprehended that the government could hatch this conspiracy to defame us. Governments are doing this to hide their failures. This is aimed at derailing the mission of Amritpal Singh of saving the youth and creating hurdle in the release of the Bandi Singhs.’

Furthermore, he also declared that they had scheduled a march at Moga district’s Baghapurana for demanding release of Bandi Singhs. And his son Harpreet Singh wanted to participate in the march, and the father later alleged, that the government did not like their activities. Hence, this conspiracy was planned.

In the end he alleged, that is not new, as government has earlier lodged false cases and murdered sikhs in fake encounters.

Who Is Amritpal Singh?

Meanwhile, Amritpal Singh is currently detained in Assam’s Dibrugarh Jail under National security act.

He contested 2024 Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate from Khadoor Sahib seat and with a margin of two lakh votes, he defeated congress candidate Kulbir Singh Zira.

For the swearing-in-ceremony as a lok sabha member, he was taken to New Delhi via special flight last Friday.

This Pro-Khalistani leader is a leader of ‘Waris Punjab De’ organization and his style is inspired from killed khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Just last year, he was detained from Moga’s Rode village, as he and his sympathizers broke police barricades of Ajnala police station, in order to free one of their aides.

Amritpal Singh’s Dissatisfied Response As Mother Claims He Is Not A Khalistani Supporter

July 7, 2024, 1:53 pm

Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh has distanced himself from a statement made by his mother, Balwinder Kaur, regarding his stance on “Khalistan,” the secessionist idea for a separate Sikh nation. In a written statement issued by the jailed Sikh leader through his team on Saturday night, he clarified this position on the day of his oath-taking.

In response to a query from journalists on July 5, his mother said, “Amritpal Singh is not a supporter of Khalistan. Advocating for Punjab’s rights and working for the betterment of the youth does not make anyone a supporter of Khalistan. He contested the elections within the limits of the Indian constitution and has now taken an oath to the constitution. Therefore, he should not be labeled as such.”

On Saturday, Amritpal Singh’s statement also came up “When I discovered today the statement made by Mata ji yesterday, I felt deeply hurt. Even though I believe Mata Ji spoke unknowingly, such a statement should never come from my family or anyone who supports me”, it stated.

He stated, “Dreaming of Khalsa Raj is not only a right but also a matter of immense pride. Countless Sikhs have sacrificed their lives for this dream, and we cannot even think of retreating from this sacred path. I have often proclaimed from various platforms that if ever faced with a choice between the Panth and my family, I will always choose the Panth without hesitation.”

However, the issue of Khalistan was notably absent from the poll campaign of the Sikh leader, who was primarily projected as an anti-drug crusader and religious preacher.

Watch | Amritpal Singh Father Criticizes NSA, Questions Parliament’s Double Standards

July 7, 2024, 12:23 pm

Amritpal Singh, the leader of ‘Waris Punjab De’ and a prominent figure in the pro-Khalistan movement, is poised to become a Member of Parliament (MP) for Khadoor Sahib constituency in Delhi. He has taken oath on 5th June follows his electoral victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections, where he secured a substantial lead of 1,97,120 votes over Congress candidate Kulbir Singh Zira.

After meeting Singh’s parents, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh said using NSA to stop people from speaking their minds is wrong. He asked why slogans supporting a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ are praised in Parliament, but Sikh ideas like a ‘Sikh Rashtra’ are punished.

#WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: After meeting parents of jailed MP Amritpal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh says, “…In India, if someone has a different opinion, he is put in jail under NSA. The slogan ‘Hindu Rashtra Zindabad’ was raised in Parliament and… pic.twitter.com/vwpVgyGX8f

— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2024

Amritpal Singh journey to Parliament has been marked by controversy and legal battles. He was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) since April last year, accused of promoting Khalistani ideology and disturbing public order. His release from Dibrugarh jail has sparked discussions on freedom of expression and the application of stringent laws like NSA.

Rashid Engineer and Amritpal express ‘faith’ in system

July 6, 2024, 5:51 am

By taking the oath as members of Parliament, Sikh separatist leader Amritpal Singh and terror funding accused Sheikh Abdul Rashid aka Rashid Engineer, have by implication, expressed their faith in both the existing system of the Indian State and the Constitution.
Amritpal has been lodged in the Dibrugarh jail in Assam for the past several months after he was booked under the National Security Act on charge of attempting to free an associate. Rashid on the other hand, was arrested in 2017 after being charged under the Unlawful Activities (Preventive) Act for his alleged role in funding terror groups in Kashmir.
Both were brought amidst heavy security to the Parliament complex and took their oath in the Speaker’s chamber. Amritpal was elected from the Khadoor Saheb Lok Sabha seat in Punjab while Rashid was victorious from Baramulla in Kashmir when he defeated former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The two had been unable to take oath with the rest of the members on June 24 as they were in judicial custody.

There has been a lot of speculation regarding the two accused persons and it is evident now that once they have been administered the oath as Lok Sabha members, they shall, subject to conditions laid by the court, be able to participate in crucial meetings of Parliament and also vote.

In this context, the observation, made by the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, sometime ago, that the system also looks after those who do not believe in the Constitution, becomes significant. However, the two freshly elected Parliamentarians have observed all the rules and norms to reach this stage of their career and therefore have willingly expressed their allegiance to the Indian constitution. The two can only be debarred from Parliament, if they are convicted of the charges. Therefore, the onus will be of the government to press these charges in court and prove them.

Amritpal is currently the head of “Waris Punjab De’’ a little-known organization which was founded by actor activist, the late Deep Sidhu. Sidhu was active during the farmer’s siege of the Shinghu border in Delhi and was also able to hoist the Nishan Saheb at the Red Fort on the Republic Day despite heavy security.

There were many observers who had pointed out that while it was difficult or rather impossible for anyone to get inside the Red Fort, it is obvious that Sidhu and his associates may have received some help in order to gain entry. The insinuation was that he was facilitated by the deep state, and could have been propped up by one of the intelligence agencies. Sidhu died in a road accident on the Kondli-Manesar expressway last year after which Amritpal was declared as the leader of the outfit.

Rashid has been an MLA and is believed to be very popular in the valley. Therefore, it is not surprising that he was able to humble Omar Abdullah in the polls. Like many other activists in the border state, he has also been accused of helping the separatists at the behest of intelligence agencies of the enemy country. However, as per the existing law, he should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The 2024 polls in Punjab in particular, have had shades of what transpired in the then strife torn border state way back in 1989, when Simranjit Singh Mann, former IPS officer accused of being mixed up with Khalistanis, and Atinder Pal Singh were elected from Tarn Taran and Patiala respectively. Mann was at the peak of his popularity and in the succeeding years, was the only Sikh leader who travelled the length and breadth of Punjab without any police escort.

However, Mann had at that stage rejected the system and declined to enter Parliament unless, he was permitted to do so along with his sword, which he said was his right as a Sikh. The authorities did not succumb to pressure but this gave him sufficient reasons to pursue his politics in the State. His rejection of the police escort on the grounds that they were agents of the government, set him apart from other leaders of the State, who either travelled with a security contingent provided by the authorities or had got themselves safely locked up in prisons to keep away from the happenings at that point of time.

Amritpal is viewed by many of his supporters as a leader who could carry forward the message of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, whose activities prompted the then government to carry out “Operation Blue Star’’ which led to the Indian Army entering the Golden Temple complex after a bloody confrontation with him and his supporters including Genral Shabeg Singh and Bhai Amrik Singh. The fallout of this exercise was the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her security guards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh.

Significantly, Beant Singh’s son, Sarabjit Singh too has been elected to the Lok Sabha from Punjab’s Faridkot and it was he who had pleaded with the Speaker’s office to allow Amritpal and Rashid to take oath.

Now since the two newly elected MPs have taken their oath, there would be considerable interest regarding their activities as also how they would be reacting to situations which place the Indian state vis-à-vis separatists in both Punjab and Kashmir. The entire system shall be under a test. Their role in the affairs of their respective states shall also be a matter of close scrutiny.

Amritpal Singh: Who Is He And Why Was He Arrested?

July 5, 2024, 10:59 am

Amritpal Singh, the chief of the pro-Khalistan group ‘Waris Punjab De’, has been released from Dibrugarh jail. He had been detained under the National Security Act (NSA) since April of the previous year. Singh is set to take oath as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Delhi on July 5th, following his success in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Early Life and Return to India

Much of Singh’s early life remains enigmatic. He resided in Punjab’s Amritsar district before relocating to Dubai at the age of 19 to work in his family’s transport business. Singh returned to India in September last year. That month, he was appointed as the head of Waris Punjab De, an organization founded by Deep Sidhu, an Indian actor and activist who passed away in a road accident in February 2022.

Leadership of Waris Punjab De

Under Singh’s leadership, Waris Punjab De became instrumental in mobilizing farmers against the agricultural reforms introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Since his return, Singh has been actively leading marches advocating for the protection of Sikh rights, with Sikhs making up 1.7 percent of India’s population.

The Arrest of Amritpal Singh

The chain of events leading to Singh’s arrest began in February when hundreds of his supporters stormed a police station in Punjab, armed with swords and guns, demanding the release of a jailed aide.

On March 18, Punjab police set up roadblocks and deployed thousands of personnel in an attempt to apprehend him for his role in the incident. However, Singh managed to evade capture in a dramatic car chase, parts of which were livestreamed by his associates.

The Indian authorities then launched a month-long manhunt, deploying thousands of paramilitary soldiers and suspending mobile internet services in certain areas of Punjab. During the search, police reported arresting 154 of Singh’s supporters and seizing 10 guns and ammunition.

Singh was eventually apprehended in Rode village in the Moga district of Punjab at the village gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship. He was detained under the National Security Act, which permits the detention of individuals deemed a threat to national security without charge for up to a year.

A senior Punjab police official mentioned that Singh would be transferred to Dibrugarh in Assam, where some of his associates were already incarcerated.

Amritpal Singh is expected to take oath as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Khadoor Sahib constituency in Delhi on July 5th.

Amritpal Singh Released, Set To Take Lok Sabha Oath Today, Viral Video

July 5, 2024, 9:45 am

Amritpal Singh, the chief of ‘Waris Punjab De’, a pro-Khalistan outfit, has been released from Dibrugarh jail where he was held under the National Security Act (NSA) since April last year. He is expected to take oath as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Khadoor Sahib constituency in Delhi on July 5th, following his victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

WATCH:

#WATCH | Assam: Waris Punjab De Chief Amritpal Singh taken out of Dibrugarh jail. He is likely to take oath as Lok Sabha MP in Delhi.

Amritpal Singh won the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary seat in Punjab. pic.twitter.com/EbVbbQ00fI

— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2024

Amritpal secured the Khadoor Sahib seat with a significant margin of 1,97,120 votes, defeating Congress candidate Kulbir Singh Zira.

Key Points About Amritpal Singh:

Arrest and NSA Charges: Amritpal and nine associates were arrested and detained under the NSA last April. They were accused of promoting Khalistani ideology and disrupting public order.
Association with Khalistan Movement: Known for his association with the Khalistan movement, Amritpal Singh has drawn comparisons to slain Khalistani leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Escapes and Incidents: In March last year, he evaded security agencies in Jalandhar by changing vehicles and appearance. Earlier, in February 2023, Amritpal and his supporters stormed a police station in Amritsar, attempting to free an associate, resulting in a crackdown by Punjab Police.
Legal Issues: He and his associates faced multiple charges, including incitement of violence, attacking law enforcement, and obstructing public officials.

Amritpal Singh Expected To Take Oath As Lok Sabha Member On July 5

July 3, 2024, 1:54 pm

Amritpal Singh, a controversial pro-Khalistan leader and recently elected Khadoor Sahib MP, is due to take oath as a Lok Sabha member on July 5, after state and central agencies cleared the way.

Amritpal Singh, who is detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail, is likely to be airlifted to Delhi from Dibrugarh, top Punjab Government Official said.

Punjab government had forwarded a request to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, in which the Khadoor Sahib MP elected had requested temporary release or parole to take oath as a Member of Parliament.

“Everything required for Amritpal to take oath as MP is complete. He will take oath on July 5 and will bring brought back to Dibrugarh Jail,” the top Punjab Government Official said.

Amritpal Singh’s legal advisor also stated that this plea was sent to the Punjab Government through the Jail Superintendent under the Section 15 of NSA on June 9.

Section 15 of the NSA states temporary release of a person detained by the government for any specified period either without conditions or upon such conditions specified in the direction as that person accepts, and may, at any time, cancel his release.

Three of Amritpal’s aides and fellow NSA detainees, Kulwant Singh Raoke, Bhagwant Singh, and Daljeet Singh Kalsi, have also announced their desire to run in the Punjab assembly by-elections in Barnala, Gidderbaha, and Dera Baba Nanak.

Lawyer of Khalistani Separatist Amritpal Singh Asserts Government’s Obligation to Provide Relief

June 6, 2024, 6:17 am

Jailed Khalistani separatist and victor of the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat, Amritpal Singh, was represented by his lawyer, Rajdev Singh Khalsa, who highlighted Singh’s focus on combating drug abuse in Punjab. Khalsa outlined their legal strategy, stressing the pursuit of bail for Singh and expressing confidence that both the BJP and AAP governments would feel compelled to provide relief due to public backing.

Khalsa emphasized the necessity of securing bail, asserting that it was the government’s obligation to grant relief considering Singh’s efforts towards making Punjab drug-free. He criticized the circumstances of Singh’s arrest under the Bhagwant Mann government, labeling it as deceitful and refuting portrayals of law and order issues and Hindu-Sikh tensions.

Amritpal Singh’s wife and legal counsel visited him at Dibrugarh Jail following his victory in the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat, where he secured a significant lead with 404,430 votes. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Singh’s closest contender was Congress candidate Kulbir Singh Zira, who garnered 207,310 votes.

The BJP experienced a decline in Punjab and Haryana during the Lok Sabha election results, failing to win any seats in Punjab and losing five seats in neighboring Haryana. Despite nearly doubling its vote share in Punjab, the BJP was unable to retain the two seats it won in 2019. Conversely, the Congress demonstrated growth, securing 99 seats compared to 52 in 2019 and 44 in 2014.

‘Jailed separatist Amritpal Singh to contest LS election from Khadoor Sahib’ Mother Balwinder Kaur discloses

April 27, 2024, 9:12 am

Amritpal Singh’s mother, Balwinder Kaur, disclosed on Saturday that the Pro-Khalistani separatist and Waris Punjab De Chief intends to run as an Independent candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from the Khadoor Sahib Lok seat.

According to Kaur, Singh was under pressure to go into the political ring and he would now start his political career from Khadoor Sahib. She went on to say, “Amritpal Singh is going to launch his political career from Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency, despite the fact that he is currently serving a sentence of life in the Dibrugarh jail in Assam. He is going to fight this election without running on any party platform. As an independent candidate, I will run in this election.”

Highlighting Singh’s familiarity with Punjab’s issues, she emphasized that the elections would center around those concerns.

The announcement followed a statement by Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh, who dismissed earlier reports of his son’s candidacy in the Lok Sabha elections. He emphasized that the decision to contest should be made by the locals, and Singh would participate if they desired. “This cannot be our decision. It should be the decision of the locals… We don’t want anything, whatever the people want is fine with us,” Tarsem Singh remarked after meeting his son at Dibrugarh jail.

Previously, Singh’s legal counsel, Rajdev Singh Khalsa, had also asserted his candidacy from the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab.

Amritpal Singh was arrested in April last year, with the National Security Act invoked against him. Currently detained in Dibrugarh jail along with nine associates, the government recently extended the NSA against him and his companions. Singh had been evading authorities since March 18 of the preceding year, following a police pursuit initiated after his supporters stormed Ajnala police station in Amritsar on February 23, demanding the release of one of his aides, Lovepreet Toofan.

Delhi Court grants 8-day custody of Amritpal, Amrik Singh to NIA

May 19, 2023, 7:05 pm

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was granted eight days’ custody of Amritpal Singh alias Ammy and Amrik Singh by Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Friday. They are allegedly linked to Arshdeep Dhalla, a terrorist based in Canada, and the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).

They were arrested on Friday at the IGI Airport in Manila, Philippines, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019 (UAPA).

Special judge Shailendra Malik granted both accused eight days in custody to be questioned in connection with their alleged involvement in the recruitment of youth for the KTF, as well as the smuggling and procurement of arms and ammunition and raising funds for the organization.

“The agency sought 12-day custody of both accused persons,” sources said.

The hearing took place in a closed courtroom. The NIA Court issued non-bailable arrest warrants against the accused in a case involving the unlawful and violent activities of banned organizations in India.

In addition, several criminal cases have been filed against them in Punjab. On August 20, last year, the NIA filed a suo moto case under various sections of the IPC and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

According to the NIA, they are associated with Arshdeep Dhalla and are involved in the recruitment of youth for the KTF as well as the smuggling and procurement of arms and ammunition.

‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal shifted to Dibrugarh jail in Assam

April 23, 2023, 4:23 pm

Amritpal Singh, the leader of “Waris Punjab De,” has been sent to the Assam prison of Dibrugarh under heavy supervision.Singh was taken into custody by the police early on Sunday morning in the Punjabi district of Moga, and in the afternoon he was flown to Dibrugarh Airport in Assam. He has since been moved to a prison in Dibrugarh, according to officials.Assam’s security has reportedly been increased, according to officials.

Since March 18, when the Punjab Police began a huge manhunt for him, Amritpal Singh has been evading capture.According to officials, the extremist preacher Amritpal Singh’s other accomplices as well as a supporter of Khalistan are also detained at the Dibrugarh jail.On April 11, a close associate of the wanted Khalistan commander, Papalpreet Singh, was transferred to Assam’s Dibrugarh Central Jail.

Earlier in March, pro-Khalistan supporters and associates of Amritpal Singh were shifted out of Punjab after Central Intelligence agencies raised concerns over possible jailbreak and repeat of the Ajnala incident.Earlier in the day, the Punjab IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill said that National Security Act (NSA) warrants were issued against Amritpal Singh and those warrants have been executed this morning.

“NSA warrants were issued against Amritpal Singh and those warrants have been executed today morning…Amritpal Singh has been arrested by Punjab Police around 6.45 am today morning in the village Rode,” Gill said.He said that the Khalistan sympathiser and radical preacher was arrested in a joint operation by Punjab police and the intelligence wing.
“Amritpal Singh has been sent to Dibrugarh, Assam and further action will be taken as per law and order in the case. A warning has been issued against those elements trying to jeopardise the peace and harmony of the state,” he said.

Punjab police arrests Amritpal’s close aid Joga Singh

April 15, 2023, 7:09 pm

In a significant development in the ongoing manhunt for fugitive Khalistan leader and radical preacher Amritpal Singh, Punjab police arrested his close aide Joga Singh from Sirhind in the Fatehgarh Sahib district on Saturday.

“Amritpal Singh’s main aide, Joga Singh, was arrested in Sirhind by Punjab police. He was apprehended in a joint operation by Amritsar Rural Police and Hoshiyarpur Police,” Narinder Bhargav, DIG Border Range, stated at a press conference on Saturday. According to the police, Joga Singh provided Amritpal with shelter, assisted him in fleeing Delhi, and then returned him to Punjab.

“This is the person who took Amritpal from the time he was reported absconding beyond Delhi, gave him shelter, and then brought him back to Punjab. He wasn’t booked under the NSA (National Security Act). He will be produced in the Hoshiarpur court. Joga Singh’s intention was to stay low in some areas of Haryana,” said Narinder Bhargav.

‘Misuse of UK’s asylum status by pro-Khalistani elements’, India raises concern

April 12, 2023, 4:37 pm

On Wednesday, India expressed its concerns over the pro-Khalistani groups’ manipulation of the UK’s refugee status to support and facilitate terrorist actions in India and asked for closer cooperation with the UK.

Additionally, India asked for enhanced monitoring of pro-Khalistan extremists based in the UK and improved collaboration with that country. India expressed its worries about the Indian High Commission in London’s security breach at the 5th India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue earlier today, which was held in New Delhi.The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the UK delegation was led by Permanent Secretary, Home Office, Sir Matthew Rycroft. The meeting was also attended by other senior officials of both countries.

Both sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation and identified further steps that can be taken to explore opportunities and synergies in advancing cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber security and global supply chains, drug trafficking, migration, extradition, and anti-India activities in the UK including Pro-Khalistan Extremism among other issues.

“The Indian side specifically conveyed its concerns on the misuse of UK’s asylum status by the Pro-Khalistani elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India and requested better cooperation with the UK and increased monitoring of UK-based Pro-Khalistan Extremists and take appropriate proactive action. India’s concerns over the breach of security of the Indian High Commission were also emphasized,” a statement issued from the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing satisfaction with the ongoing partnership and agreeing to deepen bilateral engagement and maintain the momentum for enhanced security cooperation between the two countries.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) last month summoned the UK deputy high commissioner after pro-Khalistan protestors took down the Indian flag at the high commission in London. The pro-Khalistan groups were protesting against the Punjab police’s crackdown on Sikh hardliner Amritpal Singh.

Papalpreet Singh, an aide to Amitpal was sent to the Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam

April 11, 2023, 1:50 pm

Papalpreet Singh, a close associate of the wanted Khalistan leader, was detained by Punjab Police for a day before being sent to Assam’s Dibrugarh Central Jail on Tuesday.

On Monday, Papalpreet was taken into custody in Amritsar’s Kathu Nangal locality. The arrest of Amritpal’s close aide was announced to the media by Sukhchain Singh Gill, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Headquarters for Punjab. He added that Papalpreet was held in compliance with the National Security Act. (NSA).

“Papalpreet Singh, the main associate of Amritpal Singh was arrested by Amritsar Rural Police from the Kathu Nangal area. The arrest was made under the National Security Act. Apart from being an associate of Amritpal, he was also wanted in six cases,” Gill said, adding that action against him will be taken as per the law.

Papalpreet was seen with the fugitive Khalistan leader in several photographs that surfaced after the duo escaped the dragnet cast for them by the state police.
In an unverified video on March 30, the ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief said he was not “a fugitive” and would soon “appear in front of the world”.

Further, in the video, the veracity of which could not be determined, Amritpal said those who think he ran away from his people or friends should “get that thing” out of their minds.Earlier, on March 18, Punjab Police launched an operation against Amritpal and his aides.

The Punjab Police had earlier, expressed doubts about Amritpal entering the Delhi border using any vehicle other than a bus. Following the input, Delhi Police raised an alert and stepped up efforts to track the fugitive radical preacher.
Amritpal has been on the run since March 18, the day Punjab Police launched a massive manhunt for him.The crackdown came almost over three weeks after Amritpal’s supporters stormed Ajnala police station in Amritsar on February 23, demanding the release of one of his aides, Lovepreet Toofan.

Security stepped up in Bhatinda amid Amritpal’s rumoured call for Baisakhi congregation

April 9, 2023, 12:52 pm

Bathinda security has been beefed up ahead of the state’s Baisakhi celebrations, following an unverified video of Khalistani preacher and ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh urging followers to spread the word for the large congregation on Baisakhi to discuss issues before the Sikh community.

Additional Director General of Police, Surinder Pal Singh Parmar, said the security arrangement is a positive message that the situation is normal in Punjab. “We have made elaborate security arrangements. We are here for the convenience of people. We want more and more people to visit the state on Baisakhi. No restrictions have been imposed,” said the ADGP on security arrangements in Bathinda ahead of Baisakhi celebrations on April 14.

“We are working continuously for the safety and security of the people in Amritsar. Right now, we are more focused on the management of traffic as Baisakhi is around the corner. If Amritpal wants to surrender, we will do our bit according to the law,” he said.
Earlier, the fugitive Khalistan leader purportedly appeared in a new video saying he was not “a fugitive” and will soon “appear in front of the world”.

Amritpal Singh intents to surrender; Punjab Police on high alert

March 29, 2023, 5:42 pm

Amritpal Singh, a radical Sikh preacher who has been in hide-and-seek mode with the police for more than 10 days, reportedly returned to Punjab and intends to surrender, according to police sources.

The Khalistani preacher, who advocates for a separate homeland for Sikhs and is wanted in connection with an armed raid on a police station last month, was said to be travelling to Amritsar through the villages of Hoshiarpur when the Punjab Police received information about his whereabouts, sources said.

The police commenced a massive door-to-door search operation on Tuesday in Hoshiarpur and neighbouring villages to catch him and his colleagues, who are charged in numerous criminal cases.

Amritpal Singh, however, seems to have managed to flee, ditching an Innova at a Gurudwara in the Maraiyan village of Hoshiarpur and running away into the fields.

After that, a search operation was conducted in and around the village to catch the culprits. Checkpoints and barricades were raised on the roads to apprehend the suspects.

There was immense pressure on Punjab police to arrest him and his aides because they were planning to start a rebellion that occurred in the 1980s in Punjab.

Police were not able to trace Amritpal Singh and several of his associates. Cops have also tried to catch the members of the pro-Khalistan ‘Waris Punjab De’ outfit.

Almost three weeks ago, Amritpal and his associates stormed the Anjala police station near Amritsar for the release of an arrested man.

The preacher deceived the police in Jalandhar by changing vehicles and appearances on a regular basis.

The latest video of Amritpal Singh with his main aide, Papalpreet Singh, surfaced on social media, in which he was spotted without a turban and wearing a mask.

The Punjab Police are tight-lipped on the footage, while the senior Delhi Police official said that they are investigating the matter.

Amritpal Singh case update: Jammu police detained two

March 25, 2023, 4:19 pm

Jammu police said on Saturday that they had detained two people in connection with the ongoing manhunt for fugitive Amritpal Singh, who has eluded police for the eighth day in a row.

On March 18, Punjab Police launched an investigation into Amritpal and his associates. According to the police, Amrik Singh, a resident of RS Pura, and his wife Paramjit Kour were detained for allegedly having connections with Papalpreet Singh, a key aide to Amritpal Singh.

The accused were later handed over to Punjab police, according to a Jammu police officer. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand has issued a warning about the possibility of pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh entering the state, according to Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) V Murugesan on Saturday morning.

Murugesan also stated that he had received information from the Punjab Police that the Khalistan supporter who fled Punjab may enter Uttarakhand through Haryana.

He told the media that checks and monitoring are being conducted, and that an alert has been placed in all possible locations. According to the police official, the district police have also been notified, and the border has been placed on high alert.

An alert was issued in the Uttarakhand districts of Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar on Friday as a precaution due to the possibility of Amritpal Singh entering the state.

On Friday, teams from the Delhi Police and the Punjab Police launched a search for Amritpal Singh in Delhi and along its borders in anticipation of him entering the national capital.

Delhi: Manhunt for Amritpal Singh continues

March 25, 2023, 2:24 pm

In the midst of the ongoing manhunt for fugitive pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh, teams from Delhi and Punjab Police launched a search operation in Delhi and its borders on Friday in anticipation of his possible entry into the national capital.

According to Delhi Police sources, the leader of the pro-Khalistani outfit Waris Punjab De is believed to have fled to Delhi. According to sources, the Delhi Police and Punjab Police were conducting a search operation in Delhi and its surrounding areas after receiving intelligence about Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal being seen at Delhi’s ISBT bus terminal.

According to intelligence reports, he may be disguised as a sadhu. According to sources, Papalpreet Singh is accompanying Amritpal Singh.

The Punjab Police questioned Amritpal’s ability to cross the Delhi border in any vehicle other than a bus. Following the input, the Delhi Police have gone on high alert and are attempting to track Amritpal’s movements.

An alert has also been issued in the Uttarakhand districts of Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar as a precaution due to the possibility of Amritpal Singh entering the state.

“A precautionary alert has been issued in the state’s Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar districts due to the possibility of pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh entering the state,” Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar said.

Punjab: 4 detained amid crackdown on Amritpal, bike recovered

March 22, 2023, 2:57 pm

During the crackdown against ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh and his associates, four accused were detained and sent to jail in Ludhiana on Wednesday, the police said.
ADSP Rupinder Kaur Sra said, “The four accused have been sent to preventive jail. They have been identified as Honey, Gurnam, Simarjeet Singh, and Harpreet.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.” Jalandhar SSP Swarnadeep Singh said on Wednesday that earlier in the day, the bike on which ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh fled had been recovered by the Punjab Police. Earlier, CCTV footage had emerged in which Amritpal Singh was seen driving away in an SUV in Jalandhar on 18 March.

Punjab Police IG (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill said, “He is still absconding. We are making all efforts to arrest him. We are hopeful that we will arrest him soon. It is difficult to say Punjab Police is getting full cooperation from other states and central agencies.”

“A total of 154 people have been arrested so far for disturbing peace and harmony in the state,” he said. Earlier, a local villager from Jalandhar said that he came to know on Tuesday that Amritpal Singh and his companions had come to the village on 18 March.

“We came to know this morning that Amritpal was in the village with his companions on 18 March. He changed clothes at the local gurudwara, had food, and then left on a motorcycle. Babaji, who is being questioned by the police, has now accepted that it was Amritpal who came here.

The local people of Jalandhar village claimed the presence of Amritpal Singh in their village on 18 March. A CCTV video has surfaced, quoting local villagers. The Punjab Police has not officially confirmed this. The video shows men waiting on a car and bike near a farm. Another bike is parked nearby, and as soon as the first bike with three riders starts moving, the second one too gets ready to go.

He also said that the National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against Amritpal Singh.
Punjab Police released photographs of Amritpal Singh as part of efforts to arrest him. Amritpal Singh is seen clean-shaven in a picture. Gill said, “There are many pictures of Amritpal Singh in different outfits. We are releasing all these pictures.”

Jalandhar commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal confirmed late Saturday evening that the hardline leader has been declared a “fugitive.” The Punjab Police had started the operation against Amritpal Singh and his associates on Saturday.

154 arrested for disturbing peace as Amritpal continues to evade police

March 22, 2023, 11:14 am

Amritpal Singh continues to evade police for the fifth consecutive day, Punjab Police on Tuesday said they have arrested 154 people for disturbing ‘peace and harmony’ in the state, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Sukhchain Gill informed.

IGP Gill reaffirmed that the situation in the state is totally stable and under control. “A total of 154 persons have been arrested for disturbing peace and harmony in the state,” IGP Gill revealed at a press conference.

Punjab Police on Saturday launched an operation against Amritpal Singh and his aides.
He said that a lookout circular (LOC) and non-bailable warrant (NBW) have been issued against Amritpal Singh, who remains a fugitive and efforts are being made to arrest him.

Court slams Punjab govt over failure to nab Amritpal Singh

March 21, 2023, 3:52 pm

The Punjab and Haryana HC slammed the Punjab police on Tuesday and ordered them to submit an update on their investigation into Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh.

The High Court asked the Punjab government, “You have 80,000 cops, how did Amritpal Singh escape?.” In addition, the court indicated that it is an intelligence failure of the police. This remark came after the Punjab Police took action against the Khalistani leader and members of his outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’.

The Punjab government launched a major crackdown on Amritpal Singh on Saturday, arrested 78 of his supporters. When his cavalcade was intercepted in Jalandhar district, the elusive preacher gave the cops a slip and escaped their net.

Amritpal Singh, who the government described as a Khalistani-Pakistan agent was last seen speeding away on a motorcycle in Jalandhar on Saturday evening.

Singh has been active in Punjab for several years and is frequently seen being escorted by armed supporters. He claims to be a disciple of Khalistani separatist and terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and is dubbed “Bhindranwale 2.0” by his followers.

The crackdown comes less than a month after Amritpal Singh and his supporters stormed a police station armed with swords and guns in exchange for the release of one of his aides. Six police officers injured in this clash.

Crackdown on Amritpal Singh: Uttarakhand police keep strict vigil against fugitive Khalistani leader

March 21, 2023, 11:38 am

Amritpal Singh’s ‘Waris Punjab De’ is being carried out by the Punjab Police; the police in the nearby state of Uttarakhand are also on full alert.

Uttarakhand Police Headquarters told reporters that the state police is also on full alert mode regarding absconding pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh from Punjab. According to the police headquarters, a strict vigil is being kept by the police and intelligence departments in Udham Singh Nagar district of the state.

The police headquarters told that close monitoring is being done to see if anyone is supporting Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh or is putting any posts on social media in support of him.

Amid the crackdown, which started on Saturday, the suspension of internet, SMS, and dongle services was also extended till Tuesday noon.

Earlier on Monday, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sukhchain Singh Gill said in a press conference, that there is huge suspicion of an ISI angle and foreign funding in the case.

He also said that a total of 114 people have been arrested so far since the crackdown began.

Earlier, the Punjab Police informed that the uncle and driver of Amritpal Singh had surrendered to the police, and his uncle is en route to Dibrugarh. Previously, four close aides of the pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh were detained and flown to Assam’s Dibrugarh.

Previously, central agency sources informed that Daljeet Singh Kalsi alias Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi, who is an alleged advisor and financer of Amritpal Singh, was arrested by the authorities on Sunday.

The vehicle used by ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh for his escape was also seized by Punjab Police, along with several other vehicles and ammunition.

Meanwhile, a heavy police force has been deployed outside Amritpal Singh’s residence in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar. Security has also been tightened across the state, as per the police.

Jalandhar Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal confirmed on Saturday evening that the radical leader had been declared a “fugitive”.

The police crackdown came almost three weeks after Amritpal’s supporters clashed with uniformed personnel at the Ajnala police station on 23 February on the outskirts of Amritsar, demanding the release of one of Amritpal’s close aides, Lovepreet Toofan.
Thousands of his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station, flashing swords and high-caliber firearms and threatening the police with dire consequences if they did not release Lovepreet Toofan, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting and abducting a man.