Sources said Amritpal is likely to be taken to Dibrugarh central jail in Assam after Punjab Police arrested him from Moga today
‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh arrested by Punjab Police from Moga district of Punjab, on April 23, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI
Amritpal Singh a pro-Khalistan propagator and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) outfit, who is facing charges under the National Security Act (NSA) was arrested by Punjab Police from Moga on April 23. Amritpal’s arrest comes a month after the police launched a massive crackdown against him and his outfit.
In a tweet from its official handle, the Punjab police on Sunday said “Amritpal Singh arrested in Moga, Punjab.” The Police urged citizens to maintain peace and harmony, Don’t share any fake news, and always verify and share.
Sources said Amritpal is likely to be taken to Dibrugarh central jail in Assam. Till now, eight associates of Amritpal and his outfit have been shifted to the Dibrugarh jail. All of them have been booked under the NSA.
On March 18 the Punjab Police arrested 78 persons and launched a hunt for Amritpal in connection with multiple criminal cases. The action 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.
Joga Singh, the main aide of ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh, was arrested by Punjab police on Saturday in Sirhind.
The Punjab Police had previously released a photo of ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh’s main aide Joga Singh (in yellow turban), who was arrested today. ( Image Source : ANI )
The Punjab Police had previously released a photo of ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh’s main aide Joga Singh (in yellow turban), who was arrested today. ( Image Source : ANI )
#WATCH | Punjab police have arrested 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh's main aide Joga Singh from Sirhind: Narinder Bhargav, DIG Border Range pic.twitter.com/ekLzxZg8iL
According to Satinder Singh, SSP-rural, Amritsar, Joga Singh was the one who brought Amritpal back to Punjab on March 27. Joga, a Ludhiana resident, was in charge of a Dera in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
“Joga Singh was in direct contact with Amritpal Singh. He arranged shelter and vehicles for Amritpal Singh. He arranged for him to stay in Pilibhit and then return to Punjab,” said Deputy Inspector General (Border Range) Narinder Bhargav.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on Friday accused the Punjab government of trying to create panic by increasing security in Talwandi Sabo here and other parts of the district ahead of Baisakhi.
The Jathedar again asked fugitive Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh to surrender.
Akal Takth Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh during a special gathering at Takht Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo on Friday. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma
He appealed to people to come for the Baisakhi event at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib here in large number. The jathedar asked media not to “twist” this statement to suggest that he is calling a ‘sarbat khalsa’ (congregation of the community) that Amritpal Singh wanted summoned.
Fugitive Amritpal Singh, in his two video messages, had asked the jathedar to call a ‘sarbat khalsa’ on Baisakhi to discuss the issues concerning the community.
However, the jathedar had earlier announced a three-day ‘gurmat samagam’ (religious programme) at Takht Damdama Sahib in Bathinda from April 12 to 15.
Harpreet Singh called a special gathering at Takht Damdama Sahib on Friday to discuss the role of Sikh and Punjabi journalism, Sikh media contribution, and challenges the state is facing at present.
The gathering comes at a time when concerns about the rise of secessionist forces in the border state are being expressed, especially in the wake of a major law and order breach in Ajnala Police Station attack led by Amritpal Singh, a radical preacher declared fugitive by police.
The jathedar called for the formation of a body to track and bust “anti-Sikh phobia” or “Punjab-phobic” content in the media.
“Such an organisation will be formed to track and crack whatever fake news is being circulated,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, the jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, said because of the tight security arrangements, only a fraction of the usual number of devotees have come here this time ahead of Baisakhi.
“Every year, we see a big gathering which starts from April 5 (for Baisakhi). But (at present), the number of ‘sangat’ is just 10 per cent. The reason is the panic created by the government,” he said.
“I want to tell the Punjab government through this platform that this strictness has created a panic, and it should be ended,” he asserted.
Referring to certain media reports, the Jathedar said, “Earlier they said Amritpal Singh will surrender here. Now they will start saying that he will surrender on Baisakhi day, and an attempt will be made to create panic in his name. The government should avoid it.” The jathedar said when such a situation is created, it does not affect only the image of Punjabis and Punjab, but also the government which is ruling Punjab.
“At least save your image,” he said.
The jathedar said leaves of police staff in Punjab have been cancelled and they have been asked to be present for duty.
“All of them have been sent to Damdama Sahib. What will happen here?” he said.
According to sources, Punjab Police has cancelled the leaves of all its staff till April 14.
Amritpal Singh’s wife Kirandeep Kaur defended him and his activities, claiming that it was “illegal” the way the police were trying to detain him.
Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh and his wife Kirandeep Kaur.
While Amritpal Singh remained at large despite a massive manhunt, the pro-Khalistan leader’s wife Kirandeep Kaur defended him and his activities, claiming that it was “illegal” the way the police were trying to detain the fugitive self-styled preacher.
In a recent interview with The Week, Kirandeep claimed she did not know about Amritpal Singh’s whereabouts. She, however, said she would not leave him at any cost. She said there is no contact with him and she wanted him back home safely.
“Amrit had told me anything could happen anytime. He was [aware of it]. If the government is against him, it can arrest him, but he never told me that he could be [pursued] in such a way. The way it is being done is illegal and it is not the correct way to try to detain someone,” The Week quoted Kirandeep as saying.
Kirandeep, 29, a UK-based NRI, is reportedly on the Punjab Police radar as her name has allegedly figured in garnering funds from foreign shores for his activities and organisation ‘Waris Punjab De’ of which Amritpal Singh, 30, is the head.
Speaking on the allegation, Kirandeep said, “I am not going to run away from this situation. Allegations that I have links in the UK or that I am doing something illegal. I am here (in India) legally, I can stay here for 180 days. I have been here for two months already. I will not go against the law and will not overstay beyond the stipulated period. This is my home now.”
Kirandeep and Amritpal got married in February in a simple ceremony, months after the latter was made the chief of ‘Waris Punjab De’, the outfit formed by late actor-activist Deep Sidhu.
When asked where she first met him, Kirandeep said she had been following Amritpal on Instagram for a year. “I saw that he was popular and his posts were being shared by many people. I sent him an appreciation message and told him that what he was doing was very good. I said he was powerful in his approach and that I would support him. It was just a supportive message,” she said.
