Waris Punjab De chief and fugitive Amritpal Singh was arrested by the Punjab police in Moga on Sunday, 23 April after a month-long chase. The arrest took place after Amritpal, who was on the run since 18 March, surrendered.
Amritpal reportedly surrendered at a gurudwara in Rode village in Moga district.
In a video of a purported address to his followers at the gurdwara before his arrest, Amritpal said: "I might be guilty in the court of the world, but I'm not guilty in the court of God. After one month, I have decided that I will continue the fight here, I will face all the fake cases against me here...I have decided to surrender today. My arrest is not the end, it is just the beginning. If God helps, all the false cases against me will be quashed."
He has been on the run ever since a police crackdown against him and members of his outfit 'Waris Punjab De' on March 18.
Special Director General of Police (Internal Security) R N Dhoke said, “Amritpal has been arrested from Moga district today morning..” Singh will be shifted to Assam’s Dibrugarh jail, where nine of his aides, including Papalpreet and Daljit Singh Kalsi, are currently lodged, reported Indian Express.
Amritpal Singh was arrested from Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sant Khalsa of Rode village in Moga, the native village of slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Amritpal had been on the run since March 18, when Punjab Police launched a major crackdown on members of his ‘Waris Punjab De’ outfit.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Jasvir Rode, Bhindranwale’s nephew, said: “Amritpal had informed police last night itself that he will surrender today morning after paying obeisance at the gurdwara. He also addressed sangat for few mins before surrendering. Police took him away around 7 am. The team was led by IG intelligence.”
Soon after his arrest, Punjab Police urged people across the state to maintain peace and not share fake news. “#AmritpalSingh arrested in Moga, Punjab. Further details will be shared by #PunjabPolice. Urge citizens to maintain peace and harmony. Don’t share any fake news, always verify and share,” it said in a tweet.
On April 21, Amritpal Singh’s wife Kirandeep Kaur was stopped from boarding a flight to London at the Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport and sent back to her husband’s home in Amritsar’s Jallupur Khera.
The fugitive pro-Khalistan preacher is facing at least six cases now even as Punjab Police have invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against him. The cases have been registered in Amritsar Rural and Jalandhar Rural police districts. His aides and supporters also face multiple cases.
Just 29 years of age, the Dubai-returned Amritpal Singh has suddenly burst into Punjab's religiopolitical scene after he took over Waris Punjab De, an organisation formed by actor-activist Deep Sidhu before his death in an alleged accident in February 2022.
Background:
Singh had led a massive protest against the Punjab Police on 24 February after the arrest of his key aide Lovepreet Singh. His supporters had broken through barricades and barged into the Ajnala Police Station.
A few weeks later, this was followed by a massive crackdown on the radical group Waris Punjab De, leading to the arrest of hundreds of persons supporting the group.
Amritpal Singh had taken over Waris Punjab De soon after the death of actor Deep Sidhu, who had founded the organisation.
Singh's aide Papalpreet Singh was arrested by the Punjab police on 10 April from Kathu Nangal in Punjab and charged under National Security Act.
