In the midst of the continuing crackdown on Amritpal Singh, Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh stated that whenever the ‘Waris Punjab De’ commander is apprehended, the Director General of Police will be notified. Balbir Singh, speaking to the media on Monday, lashed out at the Centre, questioning why the Narcotics Department is not monitoring the narcotics being sent into the state.
“Why the Narcotics Department is not controlling the drugs being sent to Punjab? Is the job of the central agencies only to target the opponents or to control gangsters too?” he said. On being asked if Amritpal has been arrested, the AAP minister said, “This is a matter related to security and if he is arrested, then the DGP will inform you”. The Punjab Minister urged the population to uphold peace and fraternity.
“There are some evil forces, and conspiracies are being hatched from inside and outside the country. But the police are doing good work and the atmosphere in the state won’t deteriorate. I appeal to the people of Punjab to maintain peace and brotherhood,” he said.
The Minister further added, “Similar conspiracies had taken place during the farmer’s movement and there was a conspiracy to defame the farmer, and now all that is being repeated.”
Earlier in the day, Punjab Police said that Amritpal Singh’s uncle and driver had surrendered to them. The internet, SMS, and dongle services have also been suspended till Tuesday noon.
According to accounts, both of them surrendered at Mehatpur. They sneaked inside the police station late at night. The two had come in a Mercedes car, which the police have also seized. On Saturday, Punjab Police initiated an investigation against Amritpal Singh and his associates.
According to the police, a total of 112 arrests have been made in the investigation so far, with 34 being made on Sunday. According to the police, Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh is still on the run, and a large manhunt has been begun to apprehend him.
Earlier, central agency sources said Daljeet Singh Kalsi, alias Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi, an accused adviser and financier to Amritpal Singh, was detained on Sunday. Punjab Police also confiscated the car used by ‘Waris Punjab De’ head Amritpal Singh to flee, as well as numerous other vehicles and munitions.
Meanwhile, a large police force has been positioned outside Amritpal Singh’s home in Amritsar’s Jallupur Khera village. According to the police, security has also been increased throughout the state. The police also held flag marches around the state to preserve law and order and instill trust in the public. Jalandhar Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal acknowledged the extremist leader’s status as a “fugitive” late Saturday evening.
The police intervention occurred almost three weeks after Amritpal supporters battled with uniformed officials at the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar on February 23, seeking the release of one of Amritpal’s close aides, Lovepreet Toofan.
Hundreds of his fans attacked the Ajnala police station, brandishing swords and high-caliber guns and threatening the officers with severe repercussions if Lovepreet Toofan, who had been detained for allegedly assaulting and abducting a man, was not released.
