Shortly after Amritpal Singh, the head of the pro-Khalistan ‘Waris team Punjab De’ was said to be on the run, Jalandhar Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal confirmed on Saturday night that the radical leader had been declared a “fugitive”.
“Heir Punjab Chief Amritpal Singh has been declared a fugitive. Both of his cars were impounded and the gunmen trapped. We also verified whether the firearms of his security escorts had been legally acquired. A case has been registered. Punjab Police have launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh and we are hopeful that he will be arrested soon. A total of 78 people have been arrested so far and further searches and raids are underway,” Chahal said in an exclusive interview with ANI.
Earlier on Saturday Punjab Police launched a massive statewide cordon and search operation (CASE) in the state against elements of Waris Punjab De (WPD) against whom several criminal cases are registered.
During the operation, a total of 78 people have been detained so far, while several others have been detained for questioning.
Sharing more details, the official spokesperson for Punjab Police He said: “On Saturday afternoon, police intercepted several WPD activities on Shahkot-Malsian Road in Jalandhar district and seven people were arrested on the spot. Several others, including Amritpal Singh, are on the run and a manhunt has been launched. massive. to catch them”.
“During the statewide operation, nine weapons have been recovered so far, including one .315 caliber rifle, seven 12-gauge rifles, one revolver, and 373 live cartridges of different calibers,” an officer said.
The spokesperson reported that WPD elements are involved in four criminal cases related to spreading discord between classes, attempted murder, attacking police officers, and creating obstructions in the legal performance of public servants’ duties. .
“FIR case No. 39 dated 02-24-2023 is registered against elements of the WPD for the attack on the Ajnala police station,” he added.
He said that all people involved in criminal offenses will be treated in accordance with the law and all people wanted by the police must offer themselves to the process of law. Their constitutional rights to legal defense will be protected, he added.
Meanwhile, the police asked all citizens not to pay attention to fake news and rumors.
“The situation in the state is completely stable. All people who engage in malicious activities to disturb the peace and harmony in the state will be dealt with strictly,” the police said. Earlier in the day, mobile internet services were also suspended in several Punjab districts. until 12 noon on Sunday.
The police action came nearly three weeks after Amritpal supporters clashed with uniformed personnel at Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar last month, demanding the release of one of Amritpal’s close associates, Lovepreet Toofan.
On February 23, thousands of his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station, displaying swords and high-calibre firearms and threatening the police with dire consequences if they did not release Lovepreet Toofan, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting and kidnapping. To a man.
The supporters, brandishing swords and guns, broke through the police barricades erected in front of the Ajnala police station.
Police later said that “in the light of the evidence presented”, it was decided that Lovepreet Singh Toofan would be released. Lovepreet Singh was released from jail on February 24 on the orders of a court in Ajnala at the request of the police.
Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Bhagwant Mann said that these “1000 people” do not represent Punjab and alleged that they are “funded by Pakistan” to disturb the peace in the state.
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