Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh still on the run

A massive manhunt was launched for the second consecutive day in Punjab to arrest radical Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh. As Amritpal gave the police a slip when his cavalcade was intercepted in Jalandhar district, Punjab Police declared him a 'fugitive'.

More than "100 people have been arrested" so far, including Amritpal's 10 gunmen and several "weapons and over 300 bullets seized". Three cars used by them have been recovered.

Security was beefed up across Punjab and vehicle checking intensified, including in neighbouring Haryana. At Shambhu border, extra checkpoints were set up and police personnel deployed, officials said. In Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Sirsa, strict vigil was being maintained, they said.


Amritpal's father said his son had already been detained by police. "There is no information since yesterday. But we are apprehending that he has been detained," he said.

When asked whether Amritpal Singh's wife applied for a Canadian visa and Amritpal too was planning to escape to Canada via Nepal, Punjab DIG Swapan Sharma said it could be a possibility, but needs to be probed.

Amritpal's close aides, including his alleged advisor and fund provider Daljit Singh Kalsi, were brought to Dibrugarh jail in Assam on Sunday in a special Air Force aircraft. Dibrugarh deputy commissioner and SP received the team at Mohanbari Airport amid tight security.

Assam CM Himanta Sarma said: "Earlier, we had sent prisoners from Assam to Bihar, and this is police-to-police cooperation. I have nothing to say on this."

Meanwhile, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said governments should refrain from creating an "atmosphere of terror for political interests". - With agency inputs