Pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh arrested by Punjab Police: Report
After more than a month-long manhunt, Khalistani sympathizer and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh reportedly surrendered before the Punjab Police on Sunday morning. Punjab's Special Director General of Police (Internal Security) RN Dhoke told The Indian Express, "Amritpal has been arrested from Moga district today morning." Singh is now being shifted to Assam's Dibrugarh jail, where many of his aides are currently lodged.
Why does this story matter?
This major development comes after the Punjab Police launched its statewide crackdown on Singh and the members of his Waris Punjab De outfit on March 18. Singh and his associates were charged under numerous criminal cases linked to spreading disharmony among groups, creating obstacles in public servants' lawful discharge of duty, attack on police personnel, and attempt to murder, among others.
Singh reportedly arrested from Moga's Rode village
The Waris Punjab De chief, who has been on the run from the police since last month, was reportedly arrested from Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sant Khalsa in Moga's Rode village. It is worth noting that Moga is also the native village of slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who is considered a leading figure of the Khalistani movement.
Details on Singh's run from Punjab Police
To recall, Singh gave cops the slip twice, first in Jalandhar on March 18 by changing vehicles and then again in Hoshiarpur on March 28 when he returned to Punjab with his close associate Papalpreet Singh. Papalpreet, who is considered to be Singh's mentor and has reportedly been in contact with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was arrested on April 10.
Multiple videos of Singh hit the web
While on the run from the authorities, two videos and one audio clip of Singh surfaced on social media. In one of the videos, which hit the web on March 30, the pro-Khalistani leader claimed that he wasn't a fugitive and would appear before everyone soon. Singh also asserted that he was not like those people who would run away from the country.
Singh's wife stopped at Amritsar airport earlier
Earlier on Thursday, the pro-Khalistani leader's wife, Kirandeep Kaur, was stopped at Punjab's Amritsar Airport while she was on her way to board a flight to the United Kingdom (UK). As per reports, Kaur was already in touch with police officials, and immigration officers allegedly stopped her for questioning due to the background of her husband.
Know about Amritpal Singh's wife
The chief of Waris Punjab De allegedly tied the knot with the UK-based NRI, Kaur, this year in February at his native village in Amritsar. It was also reported that 29-year-old Kaur has been on the state police's radar over her alleged role in securing funding from overseas for Singh's activities and for his organization.
