Amritsar: In a major development the Punjab Police stopped fugitive Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh’s wife Kirandeep Kaur at Shri Guru Ram Dass International Airport in Amritsar. She is presently being questioned by the immigration department. Sources in Punjab police said that the NRI wife of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief was restricted when she attempted to board a flight to London.
Kaur who was on the police radar for long is suspected to be involved in raising foreign funds for the organisation. Previously police had issued a Lookout Circular (LoC) against her, and she was questioned for 40 minutes at her home in Jalllupur Kheda village. Kaur's parents-in-law were also questioned by the police.
According to the police, Kaur was questioned about her association with Amritpal Singh, her sources of income, and her role in raising funds for Waris Punjab De. She reportedly met Singh through social media and was tight-lipped about the funding. Kaur is an NRI from the UK and married Singh in February 2023. She was staying with him in Punjab when he went into hiding.
Kaur's second round of questioning comes after the police arrested Singh's mentor and aide, Papalpreet Singh, and another close aide, Joga Singh. The police suspected that Singh was hiding in Punjab and might surrender around Baisakhi, but he did not. Several of his close aides are stationed in the UK and in Canada. The police suspect that they are involved in Khalistani activities.
Singh took over as chief of Waris Punjab De after the death of Deep Sidhu. He has been evading arrest since the Punjab Police began a crackdown on him and his supporters on March 18. Several workers associated with the organisation were arrested in the crackdown. Singh has issued several video messages to his followers from hiding, asserting that he has not absconded.
Khalistan is a separatist movement seeking an independent state for the Sikhs. The movement was active in the 1980s and 1990s but declined after the Indian government launched a crackdown on it. However, Khalistani activities have increased in recent years, with some elements based in the UK and Canada. The Indian government has been cracking down on Khalistani elements and has designated several groups as terrorist organisations.
