Crackdown On 'Waris Punjab De': Amritpal Singh On Run, 78 Arrested By Punjab Police

Punjab Police said several members of Waris Punjab De including Amritpal Singh, have fled and a massive manhunt has been initiated to apprehend them.

Chandigarh: The Punjab Police on Saturday launched a huge state-wide cordon and search operation against 'Waris Punjab De' members. As per police, 78 individuals have been apprehended, with many more being detained. Several others, including Amritpal Singh, have fled and a massive manhunt has been initiated to apprehend them.

The police claimed that it has so far seized nine weapons, including one.315 bore rifle, seven 12 bore rifles, one revolver, and 373 live rounds of various calibers during the statewide operation. Waris Punjab De are involved in four criminal cases involving inciting hatred between classes, attempting to kill, attacking police officers, and impeding the lawful performance of public servants' duties feature de elements. FIR stands registered for the attack on Ajnala Police Station.

Meanwhile, internet services have been suspended till 12 pm Sunday, said a senior official of the Home affairs department. Amripal's cavalcade was reportedly intercepted by police in Mehatpur village in Jalandhar district on Saturday. Though he managed to escape, six of his supporters were learnt to have been detained. Some supporters of 'Waris Punjab De' chief shared some videos on social media claiming that policemen were chasing them.

A video also showed Amritpal sitting in a vehicle and one of his aides could be heard saying policemen were after 'Bhai saab' (Amritpal). Another supporter in a field shared a video in which he was claiming that policemen were after him.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Police asked people to maintain peace and harmony. "Request all citizens to maintain peace & harmony. Punjab Police is working to maintain Law & Order. Request citizens not to panic or spread fake news or hate speech," it said in a tweet.

Punjab Police has launched action against Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh and his aides. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/mhrlf6HY7A — ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2023

Last month, Amritpal and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into the Ajnala Police Station on the outskirts of the Amritsar city, and clashed with police for the release of one of Amritpal's aide.

All mobile internet services, all SMS services (except banking & mobile recharge) & all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice call, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall be suspended from 18th March (12:00 hours) to 19th March (12:00 hours) in… https://t.co/NN3LeXoRZt pic.twitter.com/z3vXg4v158 — ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2023

During the incident, six policemen including a Superintendent of Police rank officer had suffered injuries.

Amritpal Singh said in an interview with ANI that incident and subsequent release of Lovepreet Singh will "change the course of the future". Amritpal Singh said "Punjab Police acted in a hurry based on wrong intelligence reports and authorities gave false information about him that he does not have support. "When I am going to the public, this could happen any day if you have enough evidence to charge me."