Radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh was arrested by Punjab police from Moga district on Sunday.
Chandigarh:
Khalistan sympathizer and ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh came forward after Punjab police created a pressure situation by conducting extensive raids, police director general Gaurav Yadav said on Tuesday.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a review meeting with Punjab police officers on Tuesday.
“CM held a law and order review meeting with Punjab police officers. The operation which recently concluded with success, successfully capturing NSA (National Security Act) prisoners was reviewed. The officers who did a good job were motivated and encouraged by the CM,” Punjab DGP told reporters after the meeting.
Mr. Yadav said discussions were also held on the overall upgrade, technology upgrade and future roadmap.
“CM appreciated the role of Punjab Police that without firing a single bullet or causing any damage to anyone’s life or property, peace was maintained in Punjab. Punjab Police is committed to maintaining peace and harmony in the state,” said the DGP.
Asked about the questions being asked that Amritpal Singh had not been arrested, he surrendered, the Punjab DGP said, “He was arrested. This is very clear. There is nothing here to revisit. He surfaced when raids were carried out done and the pressure built up. Then he was arrested.”
On the incident of sacrilege in a Gurudwara in Morinda, he said, “The sacrilege is very unfortunate. Whoever did it has been arrested. We will expose the conspiracy, if any, in depth.”
After a pursuit of more than a month, Khalistan sympathizer and ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh was arrested by Punjab police in Moga on Sunday and later transferred to Dibrugarh prison in Assam.
The self-proclaimed preacher evaded Punjab police since March 18. Nine of Amritpal’s aides who were arrested earlier were also in Dibrugarh Jail.
Earlier on Sunday, Amritpal was arrested from a Gurudwara in the Moga district of Punjab and also reportedly addressed a rally before his arrest.
According to the officials, the arrest was carried out through the joint efforts of the Punjab Police and Central Intelligence Agency.
The father of radical preacher Tarsem Singh said Amritpal was working to save people from the drug threat in the state.
“Through TV we learned that he surrendered to the police. We wanted the same because people were harassed because of him. We will fight the case. The whole community should fight against it. He worked to save people from the drug menace an offer has been made to us…” Amritpal’s father Tarsem Singh told ANI.
Balwinder Kaur, Amritpal Singh’s mother, said, “We saw the news and came to know that he has surrendered. I was proud that he surrendered like a warrior… We will fight a legal battle and we will also take him meet at the earliest.”
Earlier in March, pro-Khalistan supporters and associates of Amritpal Singh were expelled from Punjab after central intelligence agencies raised concerns about a possible jailbreak and recurrence of the Ajnala incident.
Earlier on Sunday, the Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) said National Security Act (NSA) warrants had been issued against Amritpal Singh and those warrants were executed this morning.
“NSA warrants have been issued against Amritpal Singh and those warrants have been executed today… Amritpal Singh was arrested by the Punjab Police in Rode village around 6:45 am today,” said Sukhchain Singh Gill.
He said the Khalistan sympathizer and radical preacher had been arrested in a joint operation by the Punjab police and intelligence agencies.
“Amritpal Singh has been sent to Dibrugarh, Assam and further action will be taken as per the law and order in the matter. A warning has been issued against those elements who try to endanger the peace and harmony of the state,” he said.
“…Amritpal Singh was arrested by the Punjab Police in Rode village around 6:45 am today morning. A joint operation was conducted by Amritsar Police and Punjab Police Intelligence Branch. He was in Rode village on base of Punjab Police Operational Input “In order to preserve the sanctity, the police did not enter Gurudwara Sahib. He was taken to Dibrugarh under NSA…,” the IGP said.
The radical leader had previously been declared a “fugitive” for fleeing earlier in March.
The crackdown came nearly 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.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is being published from a syndicated feed.)
