A massive manhunt has been launched in Punjab to arrest self-styled Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh. Punjab Police has declared him a ‘fugitive’ and he is on the run since Saturday.
A special team of the state police, comprising personnel from seven districts, had followed the Singh’s convoy while he was on his way to Jalandhar’s Shahkot tehsil yesterday. The preacher, who claims to be a follower of militant leader Bhindranwale, managed to escape police’s dragnet on a motorcycle.
Police have so far arrested 78 members of his outfit ‘Waris Punjab De,’, while several others have been detained for questioning.
“Six to seven gunmen of Amritpal Singh are among those arrested by police,” said Kuldeep Singh Chahal, Jalandhar Police Commissioner.
Amritpal Singh’s close aide Daljeet Singh Kalsi has also been arrested from Haryana’s Gurgaon.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had discussed the plan to arrest Amritpal Singh with Home Minister Amit Shah in a meeting on March 2. The Union government sent extra forces to Punjab before the police went out to look for him on Saturday, sources said.
