In a counter-intelligence operation in rural Amritsar’s Kathu Nangal, Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh’s close aide, Papalpreet Singh, was arrested by the Punjab Police. He had been at large for the last 24 days.
Addressing a press conference, Punjab Police spokesperson, IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill, said that he was arrested from the Kathu Nangal area in Amritsar. He further added that he has been booked under National Security Act (NSA).
Amritpal and Papalpreet had been on the run since March 18 when the Punjab Police launched a crackdown against the Khalistan sympathiser and his aides. They were together after their dramatic escape from a police chase in Jalandhar. It had been heard that they had reportedly taken different routes to escape after reaching Hoshiarpur.
Papalpreet is considered to be Amritpal’s mentor and has allegedly been in contact with Pakistan’s ISI. Amritpal had escaped the police’s dragnet in Jalandhar district on March 18 by switching vehicles and changing appearances. He and his associates have been booked in several criminal, including spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.
Earlier in the day, Punjab Police Chief Gaurav Yadav said that anti-social elements would be dealt with sternly. He also said that the hard-earned peace in the state would not be allowed to slip away.
“Mischievous elements, who have the support of foreign forces and Pakistan’s ISI, trying to disturb peace in Punjab will not be allowed to succeed,” Yadav said, adding the “situation in Punjab is quite normal”.
According to intelligence agencies, Papalpreet, 40, is in direct contact with ISI to create an atmosphere of Khalistan in Punjab. He belongs to a farming family. He studied at a convent school and completed PG Diploma. He became an activist at the age of 20. Apart from championing Khalistan’s cause, he also raised voice for the release of Sikh prisoners jailed since 1990. According to the information available, he used to describe himself as a video journalist and activist.
Earlier in 2017, he had joined Simranjit Singh Mann’s party Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), but he left it just after 9 months. At the same time, the investigating agencies came to know that he also ran a Khalistan propaganda website. Investigation revealed that he has been active even before Waris Punjab De came into existence. Earlier, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) government had registered a case of treason against him in November 2015 for his alleged links with the Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
He has already been booked under several cases including UAPA. He was arrested in 2015 for having a connection with the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI. A case was also registered against him for treason. In 2016 too, he had been arrested.
It has been learnt that the entire escape plan for Amritpal Singh was orchestrated by him. Further, it came to light that Amritpal’s uncle wanted him to surrender, but Papalpreet advised him to escape.
