The hunt for Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh, 30, today entered the third day as the Punjab intensified its search operation to arrest him. The state government has suspended mobile Internet and SMS services till Tuesday noon.
According to police, Amritpal's uncle Harjit Singh and driver Harpreet Singh surrendered near Bullandpur gurdwara in Mehatpur area in Jalandhar late Sunday night.
Police on Saturday had launched a major crackdown against Amritpal and members of his outfit 'Waris Punjab De'.
The elusive preacher, however, gave police the slip and escaped their dragnet when his cavalcade was intercepted in Jalandhar district.
Here are the Highlights on Amritpal Singh's Arrest:
Who is Amritpal Singh?
The 30-year-old's family is from Jallupur Khera in Punjab's Amritsar district. His family reportedly runs a transport business in Dubai and Amritpal had been staying there since 2012. During the year-long farmers' protest against the centre's now-repealed farm laws, Amritpal travelled to India and joined the agitation. Later, he returned.
Punjab Cops' Meme Message On Fake News Amid Crackdown On Khalistani LeaderAmid the massive crackdown against Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh, Punjab Police have put out a meme to spread awareness against fake news that can potentially lead to tension and law and order issues. The meme depicts how the state police are trying to spread awareness against disinformation and rumours. Read
here Explained: Who Is Amritpal Singh And Why He Is Punjab's Most-WantedNot many people had heard of Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh till a couple of months ago. And yet, he is now Punjab's most wanted criminal and such is his following that the state police crackdown against him has sparked protests at Indian embassies abroad. Read
here Amritpal Singh Case: Foreign Funding, Pak Spy Agency ISI Behind Khalistani Leader
Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sukhchain Singh Gill today said they have a very strong suspicion of an ISI angle and foreign funding in 'Waris Punjab De' as 114 people have been arrested so far while the hunt for fugitive Amritpal Singh is still underway. "We have a very strong suspicion of an ISI angle, based on the facts and circumstances that have come to light so far. We also have a very strong suspicion of foreign funding. Going by the circumstances, it seems that ISI is involved and there is foreign funding as well," Punjab IGP said in a press briefing.
Crackdown On Amritpal Singh: Alert Sounded In Himachal, Security Stepped Up
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said the state was on high alert and security has been beefed up along the border with Punjab in view of the crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh. Strict vigil is being maintained along the border with Punjab, he told media persons. The Punjab Police on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal and members of his outfit 'Waris Punjab De'.
Indian Consulate In San Francisco Attacked By Khalistan Supporters
Videos posted online showed men smashing doors and windows of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco after they broke down barricades set up outside the building. The phrase #FreeAmritpal had been sprayed on the property as several dozen protesters gathered outside. The Punjab police is on a massive manhunt for the radical preacher, who has been on the run for the last three days.
114 People Arrested, But Hunt Still On For Khalistani Leader Amritpal Singh
Police said on Monday they had arrested 114 people so far but Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh's whereabouts were unknown. Punjab was rocked by a violent separatist movement for Khalistan in the 1980s and early 1990s in which thousands of people died.
The internet outage, originally in place until noon on Monday, was extended for another 24 hours.
When Will Khalistani Leader Amritpal Singh Be Arrested? What Punjab Minister Said
Amid the ongoing crackdown against Amritpal Singh, Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh said that once the 'Waris Punjab De' chief is arrested, the Director General of Police will inform about it. Talking to the media on Monday, Balbir Singh hit out at the Centre, asking why the Narcotics department is not controlling the drugs being sent in the state. On being asked if Amritpal has been arrested, the AAP minister said, "This is a matter related to security and if he is arrested, then the DGP will inform you".
With Arms Case, Centre Gears Up For Terror Crackdown On Khalistani Leader
The Punjab Police on Monday said it has invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against five people linked to radical preacher Amritpal Singh's 'Waris Punjab De'. Addressing the media, Punjab Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill further said the preacher was on the run and efforts were on to arrest him. He said six FIRs have so far been registered and 114 people arrested in the crackdown against elements of the Waris Punjab De outfit.
Amritpal Singh Had Threatened Bhagwant Mann, Amit Shah
Amritpal and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, had barged into the Ajnala police station, using the Sikh holy book as shields, to extract an assurance from the police that his key aide, kidnapping accused Lovepreet Singh, would be released. The radical leader had then threatened both Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Home Minister Amit Shah.
How Attack On A Punjab Police Station Put Amritpal Singh On Centre's RadarThe decision to act against Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh was taken by top Home Ministry and Punjab police officials after he led the violent February 24 attack on a police station in Ajnala on the outskirts of the Amritsar city, sources said. Read
here Mercedes SUV Khalistani Leader Fled In Belongs To Drug Boss: SourcesKhalistan supporter Amritpal Singh, the focus of a massive manhunt in Punjab since Saturday, stashed a large number weapons, ran deaddiction centres to indoctrinate young Sikh men and used a Mercedes SUV gifted by a drug boss, according to top government sources. Read
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