Amritpal Singh's Uncle, Driver Surrender In Jalandhar As Hunt For Pro-Khalistan Leader Continues

Punjab Police has so far arrested 112 supporters of radical preacher and pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh.

New Delhi: Radical preacher and pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh's uncle and driver have surrendered before the police in Jalandhar, a senior cop said on Monday (March 20, 2023).

Amritpal's uncle Harjit Singh and driver Harpreet Singh surrendered near a gurdwara in the Mehatpur area late Sunday night, Jalandhar Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Swarandeep Singh said.

The Khalistan sympathiser, however, was still on the run, he said.

'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh's uncle and driver surrendered before the Punjab police last night

Visuals from Nakodar police station in Jalandhar district. pic.twitter.com/ldNyiGs04C

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023

The Punjab government on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal and his group 'Waris Punjab De', with the police arresting 78 members of the outfit on that day. The preacher, however, escaped their dragnet somehow after his cavalcade was intercepted in the Jalandhar district.

Police on Sunday conducted flag marches and searches across Punjab in their manhunt for radical preacher Amritpal Singh, arresting 34 more supporters and shifting four men in custody to jail in far-off Assam.

A flag march was taken out to ensure peace, mutual brotherhood and law and order in the district by Malerkotla Police and appealed to the public not to believe any kind of rumours.#YourSafetyOurPriority #FlagMarch pic.twitter.com/DWqRwYnsZO

— Malerkotla Police (@MalerkotlaPol) March 19, 2023

A flag march was taken out by the Patiala Police to maintain the law and order situation in the district and to prevent any untoward incident.#SafePunjab #YourSafetyIsOurPriority pic.twitter.com/B1VvJbjN38

— Patiala Police (@PatialaPolice) March 19, 2023

The crackdown against the 'Waris Punjab De' chief comes weeks after Amritpal and his supporters barged into the Ajnala police station near Amritsar, extracting an assurance that an arrested man would be released.

The pro-Khalistan leader and his supporters have been accused of spreading disharmony, attempt to murder, attacking police personnel, and obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties. Six police personnel, including a superintendent of police, were injured in Ajnala.

Punjab Police is acting within the law.#AmritpalSingh is still absconding and not yet arrested.

Don't believe the rumours and false news.

Request all citizens to maintain peace & harmony & not panic. pic.twitter.com/BdHRAeVEit

— Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) March 19, 2023

Meanwhile, the Bhagwant Mann government on Sunday extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services in Punjab till Monday noon. 

The official order, which exempted banking services, said this was to "prevent any incitement to violence and any disturbance of peace and public order".