Punjab Police Suspects ISI Involvement, Foreign Funding in ‘Waris Punjab De’ as Hunt for Amritpal Singh Continues
Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) has stated that the police strongly suspect an inter-services intelligence (ISI) angle and foreign funding in ‘Waris Punjab De’ as the hunt for Amritpal Singh continues. Till now, 114 people have been arrested for disturbing peace and harmony. Out of those arrested, the NSA (National Security Act) has been invoked against five of them.
In a press briefing, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sukhchain Singh Gill shared that they suspect the ISI is involved with the ‘Waris Punjab De’ group. “We have a very strong suspicion of an ISI angle, based on the facts and circumstances that have come to light so far. We also have a very strong suspicion of foreign funding. Going by the circumstances, it seems that ISI is involved and there is foreign funding as well,” he said.
As of now, it is unclear what the link between the two groups is.
He went on to state that since the crackdown started, 114 people have been arrested for disturbing the peace and harmony. Out of these, 78 were arrested on the first day and 34 on the second. Gill also stated that the NSA has been invoked against five of those arrested and that Harjeet Singh, Amritpal’s uncle, is also being sent to Assam’s Dibrugarh along with the five.
As for Amritpal Singh, police is still searching for him after he was last seen speeding away on a motorcycle, as per sources. “Police are making all efforts to nab him. Several rumors are being spread. Punjab Police is clearly stating that the arrest is yet to be made and efforts are underway to arrest him,” the senior police officer stated.
As of now, a heavy police force is present outside Amritpal’s residence in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar.
On February 23, Amritpal’s supporters clashed with uniformed personnel at the Ajnala police station demanding the release of Amritpal’s close aide, Lovepreet Toofan. Thousands of his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station with swords and high-caliber firearms, threatening the police with dire consequences if they did not release Toofan. The police crackdown came over three weeks after the incident.
Vineet Washington