With Khalistan ideologue and ‘Waris Punjab De’ head Amritpal Singh still on the run, the Punjab Police has invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against his five arrested aides, including his uncle Harjit Singh — who surrendered in Jalandhar on the intervening night of March 19 and 20.
The Police is also likely to invoke the NSA against Amritpal upon his arrest, amidst a ‘strong suspicion’ of the role of Pakistan intelligence agency, ISI (inter-services intelligence), and foreign funding in activities of radical Sikh leader.
Sharing the information, the state Inspector General of Police (IGP), Headquarters, Sukhchain Singh Gill on Monday categorically said that Amritpal is still on the run and efforts are on to nab him.
IGP Gill said that the stringent law has been invoked against four detenues — Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala, Basant Singh, Bhagwant Singh alias Pardhan Mantri Bajeke, and Daljit Singh Kalsi, who all have been shifted to the Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam. “NSA has also been invoked against Harjit Singh, Amritpal’s uncle. He is also being taken to Dibrugarh Central Jail,” he added.
Amritpal’s uncle Harjit Singh, was travelling with Amritpal on Saturday when the police launched the crackdown on the self-styled Sikh radical preacher, was arrested along with his driver on the intervening night between March 19 and 20, after he surrendered in Jalandhar. Jalandhar Range DIG Swapan Sharma said that the two were arrested along with Amritpal’s Mercedes from Shahkot area of the district. Harjit Singh is a two-time Sarpanch of their native Jallupur Khera village.
He maintained that Amritpal is also likely to be booked under NSA upon his arrest. “I cannot say with authority as of now. But yes, on his arrest we are likely to invoke NSA,” he said.
Elaborating, IGP Gill said that NSA can be invoked against others in this case as well. “Under the NSA, there is no requirement for police remand and the investigation agency is required to submit a report to the advisory board which, after examining the facts and evidence, can extend the custody for a maximum period of one year after extension at the end of three months,” he said.
At the same time, IGP Gill made it clear that the police is acting “within the ambit of law”.
“We have followed due procedure to invoke the NSA…Under section 5 of the NSA, there is a provision to transfer the accused from one state to another to maintain peace and harmony with the consent of the other state,” he added.
On the habeas corpus petition seeking Amritpal’s production in the court, the IGP said that the police will present the facts before the Court. “We have categorically said that Amritpal Singh is still not in the custody of police…Whatever we have done in this case is as per the law,” he said.
He maintained that there is no law and order situation in the state. “There is complete peace and harmony. The Police are taking out flag marches in the state and peace committee meetings are being held in all districts. There is complete peace in Punjab,” he said.
Six FIRs, 114 Arrests
The state police have, so far, registered a total of six criminal cases against Amritpal and his aides including sections pertaining to creating disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and obstruction in the functioning of police personnel.
Since the launch of crackdown against Waris Punjab De elements, the Punjab Police, till Monday, have arrested total 114 persons, including 78 on Saturday—the first day of the police actions, followed by 34 on Sunday, and two on Monday. They have been taken into custody under preventive sections for disturbing the peace and harmony in the state.
Many of them could be nominated in the already registered FIRs based on the evidence.
Police have recovered a total of 10 weapons, some unlicensed, till now which include nine rifles — seven 12-bore and two 315-bore, one 32-bore revolver, and 430 live cartridges.
Four vehicles have been confiscated including one Mercedes, two Ford Endeavours, and one Isuzu—which was found abandoned. Police had recovered one 315-bore rifle, one sword, and one walky-talky set from Isuzu D-Max on Sunday.
ISI Angle, Foreign Funding
IGP Gill maintained that the police is suspecting an “ISI angle” and foreign funding or hawala money connections in the matter. “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,” he said.
IGP Gill said that the state police teams are investigating the funding sources of ‘Waris Punjab De’. “Till date, the police have found that the hawala foreign funding has come into their different bank accounts in small amounts from different places,” said IGP Gill, while refused to disclose the exact amount as of now.
“All the owners of the vehicles that have been recovered in action against Waris Punjab De have been booked and taken into custody. We are probing the funding sources for the purchase of these high-end vehicles as those owning these don’t have the income sources to afford such costly vehicles,” said the IGP.
Anandpur Khalsa Fauj
The Police also maintained that the Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh was trying to form his own militia by the name of ‘Anandpur Khalsa Fauj’, after the recovery of bulletproof jackets and rifles with initials ‘AKF’ written on them. Also the gate of Amritpal’s house in his native village had initials ‘AKF’.
“Amritpal was trying to form an organization ‘Anandpur Khalsa Fauj’ as bulletproof jackets and rifles, which include unlicensed rifles, have been recovered on which AKF was printed. AKF is also painted on Amritpal’s house gate in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar district,” IGP Gill said.
“During the preliminary investigation, it has come to fore that close associates of Amritpal, who used to carry these weapons and bulletproof jackets with AKF printed upon them, were included in this AKF,” he added.
Alert on Borders, Airports
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sent direction to the Directors General (DGs) of Border Security Force (BSF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) to ask their field formations to be on high alert in frontier areas in view of a possible attempt by Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh to escape the country.
The officials on Monday said that even the immigration authorities at international airports had been asked to remain on high alert.
A senior official said that the two paramilitary forces had already sent all required inputs to their field units with two photographs of Amritpal – with and without a turban.
The official said that in view of Punjab Police declaring Amritpal as a “fugitive”, intelligence agencies have sounded that there is a possibility that he could try to cross the India-Nepal border or the International Border in Punjab.
“As the Indo-Nepal border is guarded by SSB and the IB in Punjab is being manned by the BSF, the two forces have been asked to be on alert and to sensitize all personnel deployed at the border posts,” the official said.
Suspension of Internet, SMS Services Extended
Keeping the law and order situation in mind, the Punjab Government has once again extended the suspension of internet and SMS services in the state for another 24 hours, till Tuesday noon. The police also warned of taking strict action against those disturbing peace and communal harmony in the state.
HP on alert too
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said that 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 said, adding that directions have been issued to ensure that tourists, coming from outside the State, do not face any inconvenience and no unwanted element is allowed entry.
The Chief Minister said, “There is nothing to worry and we are ready to deal with any circumstance.”