Amritpal Singh, the head of Waris Punjab De (WPD) outfit, has been arrested by the Punjab Police from Moga on April 23 under the National Security Act (NSA). The arrest comes a month after the police launched a massive crackdown against him and his outfit. In this article, we will explore the details of the arrest, the rise of Amritpal Singh, and the crackdown against him and his outfit.
Who is Amritpal Singh?
Amritpal Singh is a pro-Khalistan propagator and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) outfit. His rise to fame or notoriety started last year when he was anointed as the head of WPD, a social organization established by actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu, who actively participated in the year-long farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws drafted by the Centre and raised Punjab-centric issues. He died in a road accident in February last year.
Amritpal’s Arrest
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Sukhchain Singh Gill said Amritpal was arrested on April 23 at around 6.45 a.m. from Rode village in Moga district, following a special operation carried out in the past 35 days. Rode is the native village of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the militant leader who was killed in 1984.
#AmritpalSingh arrested in Moga, Punjab.
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“… NSA warrants were issued against Amritpal Singh, which has been executed today morning. Amritpal has been arrested by Police at around 6:45 in the morning (April 23) at Rode village in Moga district. Further law will take its own course,” said Mr. Gill at a press conference.
The month-long manhunt for Amritpal began on March 18, when the Punjab Police launched a crackdown against him and members of his outfit. The Punjab Police had invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against the Khalistan sympathizer. 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.
The Crackdown Against Amritpal Singh and His Outfit
The incident acted as a trigger, following which the Punjab police launched a coordinated crackdown against pro-Khalistan propagator Amritpal Singh. Nine of Amritpal’s aides, including Daljit Singh Kalsi, Papalpreet Singh, Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal, Varinder Singh Johal, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala, Harjit Singh, Bhagwant Singh, Basant Singh, and Gurinderpal Singh Aujla, have been lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the NSA.
Conclusion: The arrest of Amritpal Singh has brought the focus back on the Khalistan movement, which aims to establish an independent Sikh state in Punjab. The rise of Amritpal Singh as the head of WPD and his subsequent arrest under the NSA is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle between the Indian government and pro-Khalistan groups. The crackdown against Amritpal Singh and his outfit is a clear indication that the Indian government will not tolerate any attempt to undermine its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Source: The Hindu
