LIVE Updates: Amritpal Singh Still On Run, Internet Restrictions Extended

Amritpal Singh Arrest Operation Live Updates: 'Waris Punjab De' chief and Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh is still on the run. In view of the sensitive situation, the state-wide suspension on all mobile internet, SMS, and dongle services was extended till March 20 in "interest of public safety".

Amritpal Singh Arrest Operation Live Updates: After more than 24 hours when Punjab police launched a massive crackdown, 'Waris Punjab De' chief and Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh is still on the run.  In view of the sensitive situation, the state-wide suspension on all mobile internet, SMS, and dongle services was extended till March 20 in "interest of public safety". The state authorities had on Saturday suspended the internet and SMS services till Sunday noon. Earlier, reports had said that Amritpal Singh was arrested, a rumour later quashed by Punjab police. The state home department later declared Amritpal Singh as a "fugitive". Amritpal Singh's supporters, on the other hand, have said that police might stage an encounter and eliminate Amritpal Singh.

Check All The Live Updates on Amritpal Singh's Arrest

20 March 2023

02:23 IST

India Summons Senior-Most UK Diplomat Over Pulling Down Of Flag At Indian Mission In London By Pro-Khalistan Elements

 India on Sunday night summoned the senior-most British diplomat in Delhi and demanded an explanation over the complete "absence of security" after pro-Khalistan separatist elements pulled down the Indian flag at the Indian high commission in London during a protest. In a strongly-worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India finds "unacceptable" the indifference of the UK government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK.

The deputy chief of the UK high commission in Delhi was summoned to the MEA over the serious incident of pulling down of the flag as High Commissioner Alex Ellis is travelling, sources said.

18:47 IST

There is no law and order situation right now & nothing to worry in Jalandhar, and flag marches are being conducted to assure people this. We have seized the vehicle of Amritpal Singh's convoy. Probe underway and ISI connection angle also being probed: Swarndeep Singh, SSP Jalandhar Rural

18:47 IST

Till now, 10 people arrested and 7 illegal weapons and more than 300 bullets seized. Three cars used by them have been recovered. Cordon & search operation underway: Jalandhar DIG Swapan Sharma on operation to nab Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh

18:46 IST

Bathinda - 16 persons (pro-Khalistan supporters) who were raising slogans in the city last night have been arrested and sent to judicial custody: DSP Talwandi, Butta S Gill

Bathinda, Punjab | 16 persons (pro-Khalistan supporters) who were raising slogans in the city last night have been arrested and sent to judicial custody: DSP Talwandi, Butta S Gill pic.twitter.com/Tf5i61AKP9

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023

17:22 IST

Punjab | Police conduct flag march in Mohali Flag marches are being conducted to give a sense of security to the public. Punjab is a peace-loving state. We are continuously working against all anti-social elements. I appeal to the public to not pay heed to rumours: IG GS Bhullar

Punjab | Police conduct flag march in Mohali

Flag marches are being conducted to give a sense of security to the public. Punjab is a peace-loving state. We are continuously working against all anti-social elements. I appeal to the public to not pay heed to rumours: IG GS… https://t.co/aKBv9AkhmF pic.twitter.com/hZtfoG31Zc

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023

17:20 IST

Seven people arrested in Ajnala FIR remanded to police custody till March 23, says SP Amritsar Rural Jugraj Singh.

Beas, Punjab | Seven people arrested in Ajnala FIR remanded to police custody till March 23, says SP Amritsar Rural Jugraj Singh. pic.twitter.com/Me9AiqtcaS

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023

17:20 IST

Punjab: 7 persons who were arrested in connection with 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh brought to court in Beas

#UPDATE | Punjab: 7 persons who were arrested in connection with 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh brought to court in Beas pic.twitter.com/EFni7Fp32y

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023

15:34 IST

Flag marches in Gurdaspur and Ludhiana

Police conduct flag marches in Gurdaspur and Ludhiana as an operation to nab Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh continues. State govt has extended the suspension of mobile internet services till 20th March.

Punjab | Police conduct flag marches in Gurdaspur and Ludhiana as an operation to nab Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh continues

State govt has extended the suspension of mobile internet services till 20th March.

(L to R- pics 1&2-Gurdaspur, pics 3&4: Ludhiana) pic.twitter.com/429rhDGpIw

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023

15:31 IST

Assam Police Assists Punjab cops in Amritpal Singh crackdown

"This is police-to-police cooperation," says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on four suspected close aides of pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh taken to Dibrugarh by Punjab Police

#WATCH | "This is police-to-police cooperation," says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on four suspected close aides of pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh taken to Dibrugarh by Punjab Police pic.twitter.com/zUnPSn40IJ

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023

15:30 IST

Amritpal Singh Arrest Operation Live Updates | While interception in Mehatpur, the one in front car took a leap during the chase. We have recovered the other two cars. We have recovered seven illegal weapons too. They had some Pakistan-ISIS links: DIG Jalandhar on Amritpal's arrest

Punjab | While interception in Mehatpur, the one in front car took a leap during the chase. We have recovered the other two cars. We have recovered seven illegal weapons too. They had some Pakistan-ISIS links: DIG Jalandhar on Amritpal's arrest

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023

15:28 IST

We're registering FIRs in Amritsar rural area, we've apprehended 10 people. We are investigating how were these vehicles financed. Some phones have been recovered their technical analysis is being done: DIG Swapan Sharma, Jalandhar, Punjab on Amritpal's arrest

We're registering FIRs in Amritsar rural area, we've apprehended 10 people. We are investigating how were these vehicles financed. Some phones have been recovered their technical analysis is being done: DIG Swapan Sharma, Jalandhar, Punjab on Amritpal's arrest pic.twitter.com/cMOjf5CMul

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023

15:25 IST

BJP leader slams Bhagwant Mann

What is happening today in Punjab is because of CM Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party. A local-level gangster who radicalized the youth of Punjab is getting national attention: Sunil Jakhar, BJP on Punjab Police declaring Amritpal Singh a fugitive

15:23 IST

Mobile Internet To Remain Suspended in Punjab

With 'Waris Punjab De' chief and Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh still on the run, the suspension on all mobile internet, SMS, and dongle services in Punjab was on Sunday (March 19) extended till March 20. An official statement from the Bhagwant Mann-led government said that mobile internet services will remain suspended in Punjab till 12 pm on March 20 in the "interest of public safety". The state authorities had on Saturday suspended the internet and SMS services till Sunday noon.

21:16 IST

Heavy Arms and Ammunition recovered during operation

During the state-wide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver and 373 live cartridges of different caliber have been recovered so far. Waris Punjab De elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants. FIR stands registered for the attack on Ajnala Police Station: Punjab Police

20:49 IST

'Rule Of Law In Punjab': Health Minister On Police Crackdown On Amritpal

Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh on Saturday said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has restored the rule of law and that the law will be applied to violators without discrimination after Punjab Police began an operation to arrest Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh. 

"Our CM has restored the rule of law. Law will take its course against violators. There is no discrimination. It is not as if people died of spurious liquor and nobody is responsible or there was sacrilege and nobody is responsible. This is called rule of law," Balbir Singh said when asked about action against Amritpal Singh.

 "Whoever violates the law, then the law will take its own course. Everyone will be treated as per law. There is rule of law in the state," Balbir singh said.

18:45 IST

Amritpal Singh Yet To Be Arrested, Manhunt On, Says Police

Punjab Police launched a massive state-wide Cordon And Search Operations in the state against elements of Waris Punjab De. 78 persons arrested so far, while, several others detained. Several others including Amritpal Singh are on the run & a massive manhunt has been launched to nab them: Punjab Police

18:29 IST

What Happened In March 2 Meeting Between Bhagwant Mann and Amit Shah?

During the meeting, Mann discussed the law and order situation with Shah. Mann reportedly told Shah about the circumstances leading to the Ajnala incident. The chief minister said he had discussed with the home minister the issue of drones and drugs along the border. He said the issue of shifting the barbed wire along the border was also discussed. Shah then ordered the dispatch of about 1,900 personnel of the CRPF and its specialised anti-riot unit to Punjab for strengthening the security grid. Out of the 18 continents, eight are drawn from the anti-riot Rapid Action Force (RAF) while the rest are regular ones. To maintain the secrecy of the operation, it was said that the companies will assist the state police in security duties during the three-day Sikh festival of 'Hola Mohalla' that was celebrated between March 8-10.

17:56 IST

A look at February 23 Ajnala Incident

On February 23, self-styled Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into a police station in Ajnala, extracting an assurance from the police that his aide and kidnapping case accused Lovepreet Singh would be released. The Punjab Police said on February 24 that the demonstrators had used the holy Guru Granth Sahib as a shield and attacked police personnel in a cowardly manner, leaving six of them injured. Lovepreet Singh walked out of jail on February 24.

17:55 IST

Punjab Minister Balbir Singh Rawat: Bhagwant Mann has restored rule of law

Our CM has restored the rule of law. Be it one of our own or anyone else, law will take its course against violators. There is no discrimination. It is not as if people died of spurious liquor and nobody is responsible or there was sacrilege & nobody is responsible. This is called rule of law: Punjab Minister Balbir Singh when asked about action against Amritpal Singh

16:55 IST

"Request all citizens to maintain peace and harmony. Punjab Police is working to maintain Law and Order. Request citizens not to panic or spread fake news or hate speech," tweets Punjab police.

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 pic.twitter.com/gMwxlOrov3

— Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) March 18, 2023

16:48 IST

Punjab Congress Chief's Cryptic Tweet

Congress's Punjab unit President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring tweeted,"True Sikhs of the Guru do not run away. Even though compulsion Punjab Police is doing its job. All Punjabis are requested to maintain peace."

ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸੱਚੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਭੱਜਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੇ।

ਚਾਹੇ ਮਜਬੂਰੀ ਵੱਸ ਹੀ @PunjabPoliceInd ਆਪਣਾ ਕੰਮ ਕਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।

ਸਮੂਹ ਪੰਜਾਬੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਬਣਾਈ ਰੱਖੋ।

— Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (@RajaBrar_INC) March 18, 2023

16:45 IST

Internet Services Suspended

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 the interest of public safety: Dept of Home Affairs and Justice, Punjab