CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Police has invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against the five arrested aides of self-proclaimed pro-Khalistan Sikh preacher and ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief
Amritpal Singh, who continues to be on the run.
Police are also likely to invoke the NSA against Amritpal upon his arrest and have a ‘strong suspicion’ of the role of Pakistan intelligence agency ISI (inter-services intelligence) and foreign funding in Amritpal’s activities.
Making of Amritpal Singh: Head of Waris Punjab De
The state police have registered a total of six criminal cases against Amritpal and his aides till date which include sections pertaining to creating disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and obstruction in the functioning of police personnel, said inspector general of police (headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill.
He said that Amritpal was trying to form an organisation ‘Anandpur Khalsa Fauj(AKF)’ as bulletproof jackets and rifles, which include unlicensed rifles, have been recovered on which AKF was printed. AKF is also painted on Amritpal’s house gate in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar district.
“During the preliminary investigation, it has come to fore that close associates of Amritpal who used to carry these weapons and bulletproof jackets with AKF printed upon them were included in this AKF,” he added.
NSA, arrests and recoveriesThose who have been booked under the NSA and sent to Dibrugarh jail in Assam include Daljeet Kalsi, Basant Singh, Gurmeet Singh Bhukhanwala and Bhagwant Singh alias Pradhan Mantri Bajeke.
Amirtpal’s uncle, Harjeet Singh – who surrendered on the intervening night of March 19 and 20 - has also been routed to Dibrugarh jail on Monday.
Gill said that under section 5 of the NSA, there is a provision to transfer the accused from one state to another to maintain peace and harmony with the consent of the other state.
Under the NSA, there is no requirement for police remand and the investigation agency is required to submit a report to the advisory board which after examining the facts and evidence can extend the custody for a maximum period of one year after extension at the end of three months.
Till Monday, the police have taken a total of 114 accused – 78 on Saturday, 34 on Sunday and two on Monday – into custody under preventive sections for disturbing the peace in the state. Many of them could be nominated in the already registered FIRs based on the evidence. Police have recovered a total of 10 weapons, some unlicensed, till now which include nine rifles (seven 12-bore and two 315-bore), one 32-bore revolver and 430 live cartridges. Four vehicles have been confiscated including one Mercedes, two Ford Endeavours and one Isuzu D-Max.
Police had recovered one 315-bore rifle, one sword, and one walky-talky set from Isuzu D-Max on Sunday.
Hawala money, drugsThe state police teams are investigating the funding sources of ‘Waris Punjab De’ organisation and have till date found that the ‘hawala foreign funding’ has come into their different bank accounts in small amounts from different places, said Gill who refused to disclose the exact amount as of now. These funds are also suspected to have been used in organising Amritpal’s religious procession ‘Khalsa Vaheer’.
The police are also probing the funding sources for the purchase of high-end vehicles as it has come to the fore that these accused were not having the income sources to afford such costly vehicles.
Asked about the allegations of Amritpal and his organisation’s involvement in drug smuggling, Gill replied, “This is very preliminary…we have taken action against all their activities since they were disturbing the state's communal harmony and peace. Every aspect of the investigation cannot be revealed".
Delay in action, coordinationAbout the delay in action against Amritpal and his aides after the February 23 incident when they laid siege to the Ajnala police station, Gill said, “it takes time to collect evidence, examine facts and plan before taking action”.
Asked how Amritpal could have run away when so many police vehicles were following him, Gill replied that based on his speeches, the police expected that he would surrender but the police officers made their best efforts on the ground.
The IG said that the details of the entire operation cannot be disclosed but the state police are working in complete coordination with various central government agencies and other states.
“Amritpal is still on the run and police are making every effort to arrest him,” he added.
Asked about the criteria to suspend the Twitter accounts of some journalists, the IG replied, "I can’t comment on this". On the further suspension of internet services and SMS, Gill said that the call would be taken as per the situation to maintain peace but as of now, there is complete peace across the state.
Interview with Lawrence BishnoiQuestioned about the outcome of the investigation as to how dreaded gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, presently lodged in central jail Bathinda, could give two interviews to a private news channel, Gill replied, “We had shared the information last time(with journalists that interview was not done from any jail in Punjab) after preliminary investigation and if there would be any further development it would be shared”.
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