Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh arrested after 37 days, surrendered to Punjab Police
Moga/IBNS: Amritpal Singh, a fugitive Khalistani leader who has been on the run since March 18, surrendered before Punjab police in Moga on Sunday.
He has been arrested by the police.
Confirming the arrest, Punjab Police asked people to maintain peace and not spread fake news.
"Amritpal Singh arrested in Moga, Punjab. Further details will be shared by Punjab Police. Urge citizens to maintain peace and harmony, Don't share any fake news, always verify and share," police tweeted.
#AmritpalSingh arrested in Moga, Punjab.
— Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) April 23, 2023
Further details will be shared by #PunjabPolice
Urge citizens to maintain peace and harmony, Don't share any fake news, always verify and share.
According to the police, the 29-year-old surrendered at a gurudwara in Rode village in the Moga district.
Pictures of the radical preacher while being taken into custody have surfaced on social media. He can be seen a wearing traditional white robe.
Amritpal Singh is being shifted to Assam's Dibrugarh, where eight of his aides are already being held under the National Security Act, which allows detention for up to a year without any charge.
The radical Sikh preacher made open statements about declaring secession from India and creating Khalistan, while also threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
He also referred to the assassinations of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Chief Minister Beant Singh by terrorists to warn the ministers and law enforcers.
Since being active in India, Amritpal Singh incited Sikh youths to engage in armed rebellion against democratically elected governments, citing discriminatory treatment as the reason, in order to achieve the ‘ultimate goal’ of creating Khalistan.
Punjab Police had launched a crackdown on Amritpal Singh and members of his outfit 'Waris Punjab De' on March 18, a month after his supporters stormed a police station in Ajnala.
In February, Amritpal Singh and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into the Ajnala Police Station on the outskirts of Amritsar city, and clashed with police for the release of one of his aides.