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On Day 3 of the search for Amritpal Singh, his arrested uncle and aides face the NSA.

With the hunt for Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh Sandhu entering its third day and the Centre warning border forces that he “may try” to cross into Pakistan or Nepal, the Punjab Police invoked the harsh National Security Act (NSA) against five of his arrested aides, including his uncle, who was detained early Monday.

Meanwhile, the state government has prolonged the suspension of mobile internet services until Tuesday noon in order to “keep public order.” After “analysing the content,” the authorities also blocked other people’s Twitter accounts, including some journalists reporting from Punjab.

Strict security precautions are in place at Dibrugarh Central Prison, where four close associates of ‘Waris Punjab De’ founder Amritpal Singh are being held on Monday, March 20, 2023. (PTI)

Sukhchain Singh Gill, IG (Headquarters), told reporters that the NSA had been imposed on Daljit Kalsi, Bhagwant Singh alias Pardhanmantri Bajeke, Basant Singh Daulatpura, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala, and Harjit Singh, Amritpal’s uncle. The five are now being held in a jail in Dibrugarh, Assam.

“In every city, Punjab police and paramilitary troops are marching together with flags. Peace committee meetings have been placed in all cities and districts… The state is completely tranquil. “The situation is completely stable; there is no law and order issue,” stated IG Gill.

Reiterating that Amritpal was still at large, the IG said the “police is certain that he has not been arrested so far and all efforts are underway in the entire state to catch him”. Gill stated that the police would use NSA “on the basis of facts” against Amritpal whenever he is apprehended.

According to the NSA, bringing the inmates before a magistrate was unnecessary. “In general, a report must be given to an advisory board, which, if satisfied by the evidence, can extend the detention under NSA for three months up to a maximum of one year,” he explained.

Amritpal Singh, the leader of Waris Punjab De (PTI Photo)

“The facts and activities (of Amritpal and his aides) show that (Pakistani agency) ISI is engaged in this, and they were getting financing from outside,” according to Gill. He claimed Amritpal founded the Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF), the markings discovered on bulletproof vests and firearms carried by his associates and at the gate of his residence.

Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry has directed the Border Security Force (BSF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) to be vigilant. According to an official, the message was forwarded to all BSF and SSB units, along with two photos of Amritpal — one with and one without his turban.

“There is a potential that he may try to cross the India-Nepal border or International Border in Punjab. “They have been instructed to remain vigilant and to sensitise all employees stationed at border posts,” the officer stated. All airports and seaports have been notified as well.

During the press conference, IG Gill stated that 114 persons connected to Waris Punjab De had been apprehended in six instances reported between February 16 and March 19. He stated that among these is the FIR filed on February 24 concerning the attack on the Ajnala police station.

Bhagwant Singh alias Pardhan Mantri Bajeke before (right) and after he joined Waris Punjab De.

Besides sections under the Guns Act, the IG stated that the cases involved offences such as creating discord, attempting to murder, attacking police officers, and interfering and blocking public workers from carrying out their responsibilities.

About overseas finance, the IG stated that the accused received money through “hawala in little quantities” from several sources, which amounted to a “large amount” when added together.

He also stated that the police had taken control of four vehicles, including a Mercedes, two Ford Endeavour SUVs, and an Isuzu. According to Gill, Manpreet Singh, the owner of the Isuzu, was among those apprehended. The IG stated that police were looking into the source of the funds used to purchase the vehicles because their owners “did not have the resources to acquire” them.

The police also discovered nine firearms and a revolver, as well as 430 cartridges, according to the IG.

When asked why the police only took action against Amritpal three weeks after the attack on the police station, IG Gill responded, “Evidence collection, planning takes time… (a) holistic picture must be viewed, all facts must be seen, the police must satisfy themselves, and the ramifications must also be seen before action is made.”

When asked about the suspension of Twitter accounts, Gill declined to comment, stating that it was part of a “holistic” strategy and that he did not know the specifics. “I would like to request that the inhabitants of Punjab not pay attention to any type of fake news or rumours since many people are attempting to promote (them),” he said.

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