Amritpal Singh on the run; huge drama as cops chase radical Sikh leader
Self-styled Sikh preacher, Khalistani supporter Amritpal Singh was hunted by Punjab police on Saturday for which Internet services across the state were suspended.
10 of his close associates who were accompanying the Waris Punjab De chief were detained. Nihangs took out a protest march in support of the 29-year-old cult leader, fondly called Bhindranwale 2.0. Read | Amritpal Singh, the new face of fundamentalist fringe.
After the hours-long hot chase in which the cops almost arrested Amritpal Singh, the Punjab Police issued a statement clarifying that 78 persons were arrested and seven were detained in the massive state-wide cordon and search operations in the state against Waris Punjab De. But Amritpal Singh and several others fled.
“During the state-wide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver and 373 live cartridges of different caliber have been recovered so far. Waris Punjab De elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants. FIR stands registered for the attack on Ajnala Police Station,” the Punjab Police said, as quoted by ANI.
Special operation to nab Amritpal Singh: Here is what happened so far
1. Punjab Police launched a high-level operation to chase Amritpal Singh. while he was reportedly on his way to Shri Muktsar Sahib. Read | ‘Khalistan shouldn’t be seen as…’: Amritpal Singh as Lovepreet Singh set to be released today
2. The Police cordoned off Amritpal’s cavalcade in Mehatpur.
3. HT learnt from a senior police official that Amritpal switched his vehicle at the spot where his cavalcade was intercepted by the police and attempted to dodge the police.
4. A heavy police force is involved in the entire operation.
5. Punjab Police appealed for maintaining peace and harmony as the internet services have been snapped.
6. AAP MP Sanjay Singh said the AAP government of Bhagwant Mann is very strict with the law and order situation. “Bhagwant Mann ji is committed to strengthening the law and order situation of Punjab. The government will officially issue a statement on this. As the operation is still on, it will not be right to comment,” Sanjay Singh said.
7. Where is Amritpal Singh? Some unverified video showed him sitting in a vehicle as one of his aides said cops were after Bhai saab.
8. Internet services in Punjab will remain suspended until 12 noon on Sunday, police said.
The special operation was planned after Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann met Union home minister Amit Shah last month and discussed the law and order situation of the state. The Centre sent 1,900 personnel of the CRPF and its specialed anti-riot unit RAF, PTI reported. Last week, the home ministry ordered the deployment of 18 companies in Punjab — eight from the RAF and the rest regular. The overall strength of these companies is around 19,000 personnel.