The Punjab Police on Monday invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against five people linked to radical preacher Amritpal Singh’s ‘Waris Punjab De’. Meanwhile, the police continued with the search to nab Amritpal.
““Police are making all efforts to nab him. Several rumours are being spread. Punjab Police is clearly stating that the arrest is yet to be made and efforts are underway to arrest him,” Punjab Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill said here while addressing the media.
He said six FIRs have so far been registered and 114 people arrested in the crackdown against elements of the Waris Punjab De outfit. Of these, 78 were arrested on the first day, 34 on the second day and two last night. Ten weapons have been recovered.
Gill also said that police suspect an “ISI angle” and foreign funding in the matter. The NSA has been invoked against five people linked to the outfit, he said in response to a question. The stringent law has been invoked against four detenues — Daljit Singh Kalsi, Bhagwant Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Pradhanmantri’ Bajeke, who have been shifted to the Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam.
He further said that the NSA has also been invoked against Harjit Singh, who surrendered on Saturday night in Jalandhar. Harjit Singh, the uncle of Amritpal Singh, will also be taken to Dibrugarh Central Jail, the police said.
In the wake of the action against the radical preacher, Gill said police were taking out flag marches in the state and peace committee meetings were being held in all districts. There is complete peace in Punjab, he added.
He also urged the social media platforms and media persons to first fack check the news before sharing it. The official also urged people not to lend ears to rumours and fake news, saying strict action will be taken against those found involved in the same.
Amid the crackdown, which started on Saturday, the suspension of the internet, SMS and dongle services was also extended till Tuesday noon.
