Amritsar: Papalpreet Singh, a close aide of fugitive Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh, was sent to Assam via air from the Amritsar airport, during the wee hours of Tuesday. Sources said the suspect has multiple cases pending in Assam and will be lodged in Dibrugarh jail there.
Papalpreet was arrested from Amritsar's Kathu Nangal area on Monday. Speaking to the media, Inspector General of Police (IGP) - Headquarters Sukhchain Singh Gill said that the accused has been detained under the National Security Act (NSA). This act provides for detention up to 12 months without any trial and another similar term if the government was able to submit evidence that the suspect will be a threat to social harmony.
"Papalpreet Singh, the main associate of Amritpal Singh has been arrested by Amritsar Rural Police from the Kathu Nangal area. The arrest has been made under the National Security Act. Apart from this, he is also wanted in six cases," Gill was quoted as saying by ANI.
He added that action against him was being taken as per law. Papalpreet was seen tagging with Amritpal Singh in several images released by the latter through his network ever since they evaded the State police. There were CCTV footages which showed the digital trail of the duo going to different places and were even spotted in Delhi.
The 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh, on March 30, released a new video wherein he claimed that he was not "a fugitive" and would soon make an appearance. The pro-Khalistan leader said those who thought that he has abandoned them to wipe that thought out. "Get that thing out of your mind," he was heard saying.
Also read- Fugitive Amritpal's aide Pappalpreet Singh arrested from Punjab's Hoshiarpur
The Punjab police began an operation on March 18 to arrest Amritpal and he has been at large since then. The police had been poring on his trail for more than 3 weeks. The police have also requested Nepal to prevent him from leaving the neighbouring country if he surfaces there.
The Punjab police's crackdown comes in less than three weeks since Amritpal's supporters stormed into Ajnala police station in Amritsar, demanding the release of one of his close aides - Lovepreet Toofan.
