What did Amritpal's aide Papalpreet Singh tell the police
Papalpreet Singh, the aide of fugitive radical Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh, who was apprehended on Monday, reportedly told the police that Singh was in Punjab. He claimed that they passed through Haryana and Delhi before returning to Punjab, and that they considered surrendering at one point. He further claimed that they got separated on March 28 during a police chase.
Why does this story matter?
The duo has been engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with the police since March 18, when a manhunt was launched to apprehend them. Singh seeks to revive the separatist Khalistan movement led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in the 1980s, which was crushed by the government. They also accuse the Indian government of committing historical injustices against Sikhs and Punjab.
No contact with Singh since separation: Papalpreet
In police custody, Papalpreet reportedly told the cops that he had had no contact with the Waris Punjab De chief since they got separated. He said that he arranged all their hideouts using his contacts. Several images of the duo, while they were on the run, had also surfaced earlier. As per reports, they escaped the police pursuit by traveling together and switching vehicles.
Papalpreet used his contacts for hideouts
Balbir Kaur in Punjab's Patiala, Baljit Kaur in Shahbad, and Kulwinder Kaur in Delhi reportedly sheltered the duo to keep them from the police. All three were Papalpreet's acquaintances and the duo was also in contact with Joga Singh, a Sikh preacher from Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit. Baljit was earlier arrested for harboring them on the intervening night of March 19 and 20.
Papalpreet to be taken to Dibrugarh jail
Meanwhile, the Punjab Police arrived at Amritsar airport on Tuesday with Papalpreet to transport him to Assam's Dibrugarh jail, where Singh's other supporters and kin are being held. While it was earlier reported that he was arrested in Hoshiarpur, subsequent reports stated that he was held under the National Security Act (NSA) in Kathu Nangal, near Amritsar, Punjab. However, Singh remains at large.
