Amritpal Case: Akal Takht Jathedar Gives Ultimatum To Punjab Govt To Release Arrested Sikh Youths In 24 Hours

If the demand is not fulfilled, “Vaheer” (religious pilgrimage) will be taken out and the world will be told how the Sikhs are being treated, Akal Takht Jathedar said.

Amritpal Singh (L), and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh (R).

Source : File Photo

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on Monday asked the Punjab government to release the Sikh youths arrested amid an ongoing police crackdown on pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh within 24 hours. 

If the demand is not fulfilled, “Vaheer” (religious pilgrimage) will be taken out and the world will be told how the Sikhs are being treated, Akal Takht Jathedar said.

So far, Police has detained 353 people out of which 197 have been released. 

Earlier on Saturday, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh requested that fugitive Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh to surrender before authorities and participate with the inquiry.

The Jathedar of Akal Takht also questioned the police's ability, asking why, despite having such a large force, they were unable to apprehend the self-styled Sikh preacher.

“If Amritpal is out (of police net), then I will ask him to present (before police) and cooperate with (police) investigation,” Jathedar stated. 

Singh's words follow a raid by the Punjab Police on Amritpal Singh and members of his 'Waris Punjab De' organisation.

Amritpal has been on the run since the police crackdown began on March 18.

Numerous photographs and videos show him evading police with various automobiles.

When his cavalcade was halted in Jalandhar district, the preacher gave the cops the slip and escaped their net. His current whereabouts is unknown.

The Punjab government has charged him and several of his colleagues under the harshest National Security Act.

The Jathedar stated in a video message on Saturday that the biggest issue on every Sikh's mind around the world is how Amritpal was not caught despite the state having a large police presence. He believes it calls into question the effectiveness of the police.

India has urged that the Nepal authorities not allow fugitive radical preacher Amritpal Singh, who is thought to be hiding in Nepal, to leave to a third country and arrest him if he attempts to depart using an Indian passport or any other fake passport, according to a media report on Monday.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has asked the government officials to arrest Singh if he tries to exit Nepal, according to a letter addressed to the Directorate of Consular Services on Saturday.

"Singh is currently hiding in Nepal," the paper said, citing a copy of the letter obtained by it.