High Drama In Punjab As Police Launch Operation To Arrest ‘Waris Punjab De’ Chief Amritpal Singh — Top Points

Punjab Police launched a high-level operation to chase Amritpal Singh while he was reportedly on his way to Shri Muktsar Sahib.

‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh

Source : ABP News

New Delhi: The ongoing chaos in Punjab over ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh saw a major breakthrough after police launched an operation to arrest the Khalistani sympathizer on Saturday.

According to reports, Punjab Police launched a high-level operation to chase Amritpal Singh while he was reportedly on his way to Shri Muktsar Sahib. Six of his aides were arrested while Singh managed to flee.

Here are the top developments:

• Punjab Police cordoned off Amritpal's cavalcade in Mehatpur in a bid to arrest him. However, Amritpal switched his vehicle at the spot where his cavalcade was intercepted and managed to dodge the police.

• Police said 78 persons have been arrested so far, while several others have been detained.

• During the state-wide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver and 373 live cartridges have been recovered so far, police said. “‘Waris Punjab De’ elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants. FIR stands registered for the attack on Ajnala Police Station,” ANI quoted police officials as saying.

• Police suspended internet services on Saturday across the state as part of the crackdown on the ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief. Internet services will remain suspended till 12 noon on Sunday.
• As the internet services was suspended, the Punjab Police urged people to maintain peace and harmony and not to spread fake news, panic or hate speech. "Punjab Police is working to maintain law and order," the Punjab Police tweeted. 

• According to Punjab Police, search operation is being conducted at all possibles places where Singh could have fled to. 

• Some of the supporters of the 'Waris Punjab De' chief shared some videos on social media alleging that police personnel were chasing them. A video also showed Amritpal Singh sitting in a vehicle and one of his aides could be heard saying police were after 'Bhai saab' (Amritpal).

• Several people blocked the Barnala-Faridkot State Highway in Bhadod town after the Punjab police launched the operation to arrest Amritpal Singh. The protesters demanded that Singh should not be arrested. 

• In the wake of protests, section 144 has been imposed in many districts of Punjab.  Police has also stepped up the security to maintain law and order situation. 

• As part of the crackdown, police have been intercepting all the vehicles on the Punjab-Haryana border.

• The Union government is in constant touch with Punjab and has assured all possible help to arrest Amritpal Singh.

• Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh said the AAP government of Bhagwant Mann is very strict about the law and order situation. "Bhagwant Mann ji is committed to strengthening the law and order situation of Punjab. The government will officially issue a statement on this. As the operation is still on, it will not be right to comment," Sanjay Singh said.