‘How Amritpal Singh Escaped’: Congress Alleges Conspiracy By Centre, Punjab; Wants Action

National Security Act has been invoked against Amritpal Singh and his photos have been released by the Punjab Police in connection with the violent pro-Khalistan protests in the state.

NEW DELHI: Congress has alleged a conspiracy by the Centre and the AAP government in Punjab over reports of radical pro-Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh escaping despite heavy police presence and evading his arrest in connection with the violent pro-Khalistan protests in the state and elsewhere. Demanding action against those who helped Amritpal Singh in fleeing Punjab, state Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also sought to know if the radical preacher was aware of the police action.

“How Amritpal escaped in the presence of police officials? It means Amritpal was aware of the plan. I doubt the intention of both the Punjab and Central govt. There is some conspiracy behind it. Action should be taken against those involved in anti-national activities & talk about Khalistan but action shouldn't be taken against innocent youth of Punjab,” the Punjab Congress chief was quoted as saying by ANI.

How Amritpal escaped in the presence of police officials? It means Amritpal was aware of the plan. I doubt the intention of both Punjab and Central govt. There is some conspiracy behind it. Action should be taken against those involved in anti-national activities & talk about… pic.twitter.com/oHZuAamQwQ — ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2023

Lookout Circular, Non-Bailable Warrant For Amritpal Singh

The Punjab Police have issued a lookout circular (LOC) and non-bailable warrant (NBW) against `Waris Punjab De` chief Amritpal Singh, the fugitive pro-Khalistani sympathiser, who is behind recent violent protests in the state. Addressing a press conference, Inspector General of Police (Headquarters), Punjab Sukhchain Singh Gill said that Amritpal Singh, a Khalistani sympathiser, has not been arrested yet.

"We are making all efforts to arrest him. We`re hopeful that we`ll arrest him soon...It is difficult to say that. Punjab Police is receiving full cooperation from other states and central agencies," the IGP said. "A lookout circular (LOC) and non-bailable warrant (NBW) have been issued against Amritpal Singh, who remains a fugitive and efforts are being made to arrest him," said the Information and Public Relations Department of the Punjab government. 

Amritpal Singh’s Pictures Released

As part of its efforts to arrest Amritpal Singh, Punjab Police released his pictures on Tuesday. IGP Gill requested people to help them in Amritpal`s arrest. "There are several pictures of Amritpal Singh in different attires. We are releasing all of these pictures. I request you display them so that people can help us to arrest him in this case," said Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sukhchain Singh Gill. One of the pictures shows Amritpal Singh as clean-shaven. 

Punjab Police releases a few pictures of 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh.

"There are several pictures of Amritpal Singh in different attires. We are releasing all of these pictures. I request you display them so that people can help us to arrest him in this case," says… pic.twitter.com/wh7gNb4BUA — ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2023

How Amritpal Singh Escaped Arrest?

According to a preliminary probe, police said he visited a Gurdwara in Jalandhar district while on the run and escaped on a motorcycle after changing clothes. According to the CCTV visuals, Amritpal Singh was seen escaping in an SUV in Jalandhar on March 18. He is still on the run. He was asked if Amritpal Singh had fled to any other state.

"In the preliminary investigation, it was found that they went to Gurdwara Sahib in Nangal Ambian where Amritpal changed his clothes and they escaped on two motorcycles. Teams are working, further investigation is underway," the senior police official said.

Over 150 arrested So Far

He said a total of 154 people have been arrested and taken into custody so far. "Around 12 weapons, including rifles and revolver, recovered". A local villager in Jalandhar said they got know on Tuesday that Amritpal Singh and his accomplices came to the village on March 18."We got to know today morning when the police came that Amritpal along with his associates was here in the village on March 18. He changed clothes at a local gurudwara, had food and then went away on a motorcycle. Babaji who`s being questioned by police now had admitted that Amritpal came here," the villager said.

Locals of the Jalandhar village claimed Amritpal Singh`s presence in their village on March 18. A CCTV video has emerged sourced from the local villagers. Punjab police have not officially confirmed this. The video shows a car and men waiting on a bike near a field. Another bike is parked nearby and as the first bike moves with three riders, the other also readies to leave.

Police have recovered the car in which `Waris Punjab De` leader Amritpal Singh fled. Gill said that they have arrested four people who helped the fugitive pro-Khalistani leader. He said weapons from recovered from the vehicle in which Amritpal Singh was travelling. "We have arrested four more people in this case - Manpreet, Gurdeep, Harpreet, and Gurpej. These four people had helped Amritpal Singh escape in a Brezza vehicle from the Naka point. We recovered the vehicle, one rifle, and other equipment. Arms Act has been invoked," he said.

Gill said the four have been arrested under the Arms Act. Arms Act has been invoked against the four people who helped him. An important fact has come to light that Amritpal Singh, after fleeing, visited the Gurudwara in Nangal Ambian village (in Jalandhar district) and changed his clothes before fleeing again. This came to be known in the questioning of the four people who have been nabbed," Gill said at the press conference.

NSA Invoked Against Amritpal Singh

He said National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against Amritpal Singh. "A non-bailable warrant has been issued against him on March 18. Police are working as per law. People have suspicions, but the prime accused (Amritpal Singh) has not been arrested yet. As soon as the arrest is made, we will inform you," he said.

Earlier in the day, the Punjab government told the Punjab and Haryana high court that the National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against Amritpal Singh. Punjab Advocate General Vinod Ghai told the High Court in a hearing that a search for the Waris Punjab De leader is on. "We were armed but we refrained from using force. Some matters are so sensitive, that can`t be explained in court. We are doing a good job in action against Amritpal. NSA has been imposed on him," the AG told the court.