New Delhi: Fugitive pro-Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh may surrender before the Akal Takht conference called by him, following which a high alert has been issued across Punjab. Sources say that Amritpal Singh can surrender in any historical gurudwara of the state. According to sources, Amritpal Singh has asked the heads of the apex Sikh body, Akal Takht, to convene a “Sarbat Khalsa” gathering in Punjab’s Bathinda on Baisakhi on April 14.
Although sources told that before this Amritpal Singh can surrender. Pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh has been releasing videos from undisclosed locations claiming that he is not a “fugitive” and will soon “appear before the world”. Meanwhile, the leaves of Punjab Police officers have been canceled till April 14 and the state has been put on high alert.
Punjab Police is doing everything possible to arrest Amritpal Singh
Amid speculations of surrender of heir Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh, Amritsar Deputy Commissioner of Police Law and Order Parminder Singh Bhandal has said that if the fugitive Khalistan supporter wants to surrender, he will do his bit as per the law.
“We are continuously working for the security of Amritsar. Even today we have sealed the entire city. Right now we are concentrating more on traffic as Baisakhi is round the corner. If heir Punjab D chief Amritpal Singh wants to surrender And if you want to appear, we will.” Do our work as per the law,” he said.
Amritpal Singh’s search expanded
The Punjab Police on Friday expanded the search for Amritpal Singh to Deras in Hoshiarpur district and other possible hideouts of the fugitive preacher, where some suspects abandoned his car after a chase three days ago. Police sources said barricades have been put up at key points and thorough checking of all vehicles is being carried out in Marnia and nearby villages including Harkhowal, Bibi Di Pandori and Bassi.
He said that police officers are conducting searches in several villages at deras, residential places, small rooms set up near tube wells and even animal shelters. Hoshiarpur Senior Superintendent of Police Sartaj Singh Chahal said they are keeping a close watch. There were reports that Joga Singh, said to be an aide of Amritpal Singh, had been apprehended, but several senior police officers denied having any knowledge of it.
Amritpal Singh is absconding for weeks
The radical preacher is absconding after the police crackdown on his organization Waris Punjab Day on March 18. However, he has appeared in two purported videos and an audio clip released on social media in the last three days. In the latest video, the Khalistan supporter insisted that he is not a fugitive and will soon appear before the world. In the audio clip, he dismissed speculation that he was negotiating his surrender and exhorted the Akal Takht to convene a “Sarbat Khalsa” congregation for the second time to discuss issues related to the Sikh community.
The hunt for Amritpal Singh was launched on Tuesday night following information about the presence of the radical preacher and his associates in Hoshiarpur district. It began when police chased an Innova SUV from Phagwara, which some sources said could be Amritpal Singh and his associates. The riders left the vehicle near Gurudwara Bhai Chanchal Singh in Marniyan and disappeared.
Officials said there was also information that the suspects might have used a Swift car after leaving the SUV. Police had recovered another vehicle from Phagwara, which they suspected might have been used by the fugitive and his associate Papalpreet Singh. The police had conducted house-to-house searches, but so far no success has been achieved.
Action on Waris Punjab De supporters
Action against the Waris Punjab D chief was initiated three weeks ago after his supporters stormed a police station at Ajnala near Amritsar, demanding the release of an arrested person. He and his associates have been booked under several criminal cases relating to promoting enmity between classes, attempt to murder, assault on police personnel and obstructing public servants in lawful discharge of duty.
Police had increased security in and around Amritsar and Bathinda as Amritpal Singh may surrender after entering either of the two Sikh temples in Amritsar and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Bathinda.