Police arrest 'Fugitive' Amritpal Singh's uncle; total arrests 112

Chandigarh: The self-styled preached and radical Khalisani sympathiser Amritpal Singh's uncle, Harjit Singh, was captured by the Punjab Police in the Shahkot area in the state, police informed.

On Monday morning, one of Amritpal's close aides, who managed his finances, Daljeet Singh Kalsi, was also arrested.

Police also said that the hunt for the fugitive is still on the third day.

The police have seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition from Amritpal's aides. A fresh FIR was registered against him and his associates in an illegal weapons case. Police also made some preventive arrests of persons, citing that they attempted to disturb peace and law and order.

Seven people who were arrested for putting an Amritsar Police station under siege were sent to police custody till March 23. Four associates of Amritpal were taken to Dibrugarh in Assam, citing security reasons.

Punjab Police said that efforts are still going on to capture the fugitive. Flag marches have been conducted by district police and paramilitary forces led by Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) all over the state, he said, adding that peace committee meetings have also been held in all the districts and there is complete peace and harmony in the state at present.

After 34 more arrests were made on Sunday for disturbing peace and harmony in the state, the total arrests reached 112 since Saturday.

The vehicle was used by Amritpal while the police were chasing him on Saturday. A .315 bore rifle along with 57 cartridges, a sword and a wireless set have been recovered from the abandoned vehicle, he said, adding that the vehicle is owned by Manpreet Singh from Anokharwal village in SBS Nagar, who has been arrested.

The spokesperson added that strict action as per the law would be taken if anyone is found spreading fake news, rumours or hate speech.

All citizens, media persons and social media platform intermediaries are requested to act in a responsible manner and to fact-check the authenticity of the content being shared by them on various social media, electronic media and print media platforms, he added.

Meanwhile, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Sunday issued notice to the Punjab government on a habeas corpus petition seeking issuance of directions to the Jalandhar Commissioner of Police and other officials to present alleged "detainee" Amritpal Singh "in the interest of justice".

Petitioner Imaan Singh Khara alleged that 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh had been illegally and forcibly detained by the police commissioner and other officials without any authority of law.

Justice N.S. Shekhawat fixed the case for further hearing on Tuesday.