Punjab: Radical leader Amritpal Singh on the run, 78 arrested; internet shut

A major police crackdown is underway in Punjab against radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his supporters over charges of spreading communal tension in the state.

According to Punjab Police, 78 persons associated with ‘Waris Punjab De’ outfit were arrested while Amritpal is on the run.

Earlier, six associates from Amritpal’s team were arrested by police during a chase. Sources say Amritpal had narrowly escaped cops then.

Punjab Police launched a massive state-wide Cordon And Search Operations in the state against elements of Waris Punjab De. 78 persons arrested so far, while, several others detained. Several others including Amritpal Singh are on the run & a massive manhunt has been launched to… https://t.co/CX9M85F8Rz pic.twitter.com/mnZacHk2Qp

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2023

Internet suspended

As a security measure, internet has been suspended across the state till 12 pm tomorrow (March 19). “All mobile internet services, all SMS services (except banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice call, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall be suspended from March 18 (12:00 hours) to March 19 (12:00 hours) in the interest of public safety,” an order by Punjab’s Department of Home Affairs and Justice read.

Singh leads ‘Waris Punjab De’, an organisation started by actor and activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident in February last year.

Also read: ‘Bhindranwale 2.0’: Who is Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh?

Police chases Amritpal

Police personnel from seven districts had earlier chased Amritpal Singh and his associates, and surrounded him at Mehatpur village in Jalandhar’s Shahkot, NDTV had quoted sources as saying.

Some supporters of ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief shared some videos on social media also claiming that policemen were chasing them, a PTI report said.

A video showed Amritpal Singh sitting in a vehicle and one of his aides could be heard saying policemen were after Bhai saab (Amritpal). Another supporter in a field shared a video in which he was claiming that policemen were after him.

Ajnala incident

Last month, Amritpal and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into the Ajnala Police Station on the outskirts of the Amritsar city, and clashed with police for the release of one of Amritpal’s aide, kidnapping accused Lovepreet Singh.

Six police personnel, including a Superintendent of Police rank officer, were injured during the clash. The police have not yet revealed whether an FIR was lodged against Amritpal for the violence.

Punjab police was heavily criticised for dragging its feet over the incident.

Political reactions

After the Ajnala incident, BJP had demanded Governor’s rule in the state, and the Punjab Congress sought the arrest of Amritpal Singh and his supporters for attacking police personnel.

Also read: Punjab Sikh leaders unhappy with Amritpal for using Guru Grant Sahib as ‘shield’

Meanwhile, reacting to the latest police action, Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu said the man who “used to talk about taking up arms for Khalistan is today running away fearing the police”. NDTV report quoted him as saying, “He is running around in the streets like a gidad (jackal). I used to say earlier, too, that he has come to get our children killed. He is a man of (intelligence) agencies.”

(With agency inputs)