By India Today News Desk: Just a day before Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh surrendered and was arrested in Punjab’s Moga, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said, “Earlier, he used to roam freely, but now he can’t carry on with his activities.” Amit Shah was responding to a question as to why self-styled preacher Amritpal Singh hadn’t been nabbed yet.
Speaking at India Today Karnataka Roundtable 2023, Amit Shah said, “This (Amritpal Singh’s arrest) may happen some time. Earlier, he used to roam freely, but now he can’t carry on with his activities.”
When asked about Amritpal Singh and the Khalistani wave in Punjab, Amit Shah said, “There is no Khalistani wave in Punjab. The government is doing its job. We are monitoring the situation very closely. No one can attack India’s unity and sovereignty.”
The senior BJP leader said that the Punjab and the central governments had done a commendable job.
AMRITPAL SINGH ARRESTED IN MOGA
Fugitive preacher Amritpal Singh surrendered in Punjab’s Moga on Sunday morning after being on the run for 37 days. Amritpal Singh addressed a gathering at a Gurdwara in Rode village of Moga district before surrendering.
The arrest was confirmed by Punjab Police and it urged people to maintain peace and not spread fake news.
“Amritpal Singh was arrested in Moga, Punjab. Further details will be shared by Punjab Police. Urge citizens to maintain peace and harmony. Don’t share any fake news, always verify and share,” police tweeted.
According to the police, Amritpal Singh had no option but to surrender and the NSA warrant was issued against him.
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Jasveer Singh Rode, nephew of Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, helped in the surrender of Amritpal Singh.
Amritpal Singh surrendered in Rode, the native village of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed in Operation Blue Star.
Amritpal Singh is being taken to Dibrugarh jail in Assam and Punjab Police had invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against him. Several cases have been lodged against the radical preacher and his associates for allegedly spreading disharmony, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and obstructing the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.
The Punjab Police launched a massive search operation to nab Amritpal Singh after the storming of the Ajnala police station by his supporters to secure the release of an arrested associate.
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His wife Kirandeep Kaur was stopped at the Amritsar airport by immigration officials on Thursday while she was trying to board a flight to London. Amritpal Singh tied the knot with Kaur, a UK-based NRI, in February this year.
Amritpal Singh had earlier escaped the police dragnet twice — first on March 18 in Jalandhar district by switching vehicles and then again on March 28 in Hoshiarpur when he returned to Punjab along with his key associate Papalpreet Singh.
(With PTI inputs)
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