WATCH LIVE: Suspense continues over Amritpal Singh's arrest; Punjab Police tightlipped on issue
Jalandhar, March 18: Even after widespread rumours over Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh and his aides' arrest on Saturday, the Punjab Police are yet to confirm the development.
If rumours are to be believed, he along with six of his aides have been "arrested". However, when the report was last filed at 8.30 pm, there was no official confirmation yet.
Political leaders are describing this as a well-planned drama to divert the attention of the public ahead of Sidhu Moosewala's first barsi on March 19. They said Amritpal Singh was not absconding. He had been moving around freely and could have been easily arrested. Meanwhile, Section 144 has been imposed in Muktsar and Fazilka districts.
The Punjab Police have appealed to the citizens to "maintain peace and harmony" in the state and stay away from "false news". "Avoid rumours on social media. We request all citizens to maintain peace and harmony. Punjab Police is working to maintain law and order. Citizens are requested not to panic and not spread fake news or hate speech," the Punjab Police tweeted
In the afternoon, there were reports that Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh managed to give the police a slip. It was also learnt that the police of eight districts were after him and chasing his vehicle to arrest him.
Huge police force was deployed at various places in Moga and Jalandhar districts. Mobile Internet services have also been suspended in parts of Punjab till 12 noon on March 19. Only broadband services are working.
On the other hand, if reports on various platforms are to be believed, Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh and his six companions were arrested by the Punjab Police in Jalandhar's Mehatpur area on Saturday. However, there was no official confirmation yet.
Sources said the action comes following an attack on the Ajnala police station by Amritpal's supporters recently.
Meanwhile, realising the seriousness of the situation, the authorities immediately suspended mobile Internet services in several areas of the state.
Notably, Amritpal, head of pro-Khalistan organisation 'Waris Punjab De', has been facing three cases, of which two are lodged at the Ajnala police station of Amritsar district. Irked over the arrest of one of his close associates, Amritpal along with his supporters had stormed into the Ajnala police station on February 23. The Punjab Police had been facing criticism since then.
On Saturday, Amritpal Singh was supposed to attend programmes at Shahkot-Malsian area on Jalandhar-Moga NH and Rampura Phool in Bathinda district. Supporters also started gathering from early morning. However, even before this programme, the Jalandhar and Moga police cordoned off the area to arrest Amritpal in a joint operation.
It is also learnt that police force was also called overnight from nearby districts.
As soon as Amritpal's convoy reached near Jalandhar around 1 pm on Saturday, the police cordoned off the area. A video of Amritpal running away in his car is also viral on social media.
- PTC NEWS
