According to security agencies, fugitive Amritpal Singh was encouraging gun culture in Punjab and facilitating criminal gangs while operating under the guise of a religious preacher. They said that he was launched by foreign elements inimical to Indian interests,
The police crackdown on “Waris Punjab De (WPD)” and its chief, Mr. Amritpal Singh, is aimed at taking stringent legal action against elements who were involved in disturbing peace and communal harmony in the State, said an official. “In a short period of time, the Punjab police had noted the aggressive manner in which he had been attempted to foment unrest. The attack on Ajnala police station by a violent mob on February 23 was an early warning,” he said.
The bike that was used to help Waris Punjab De founder Amritpal Singh flee is seen inside a police station in Jalandha on March 22, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI
“Although the accused projected himself as an anti-drug crusader, as it turns out a Mercedes car used by him had been gifted by a drug dealer named Ravel Singh. When in Dubai, he was in touch with Jaswant Singh Rode, whose brother Lakhbir Singh Rode is the head of International Sikh Youth Federation and is involved in smuggling drugs into India. Amritpal Singh’s London based associate, Avtar Singh Khanda, is linked to Paramjeet Singh Pamma, who also does the same,” the official said.
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Stating that the accused gave his own interpretation of religion to his advantage, another official privy to the ongoing probe, said Mr. Amritpal Singh targeted the lower strata of society and “aimless” youth to exploit their sentiments in the name of religion.
“During the Ajnala incident, he had deliberately put Bir of Sri Guru Granth Sahib kept in a Palki (mini bus) in front during the clash with the police...thereby disrespecting its sanctity. His supporters had earlier vandalised two gurdwaras. He had also threatened Jathedar Akal Takht over a committee formed against him for carrying Guru Granth Sahib to protest site...the strong action against him is being welcomed in Punjab by a silent majority of all the communities,” he said.
‘Illegal smuggling’
The agencies suspected that on the pretext of running drug de-addiction centres, the accused planned to set up hideouts and storehouses for the weapons illegally being smuggled using drones from across Pakistan.
The allegations against Mr. Amritpal Singh are also that he spoke against the Constitution, issued threats to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, after the Ajnala incident. “He heads the organisation whose former treasurer Basant Singh Daulatpur had known links with foreign elements inimical to India,” he said.
In 2012, the accused had shifted to Dubai where he worked as a truck driver. He returned in August 2022 and shortly thereafter had taken over the WPD as its chief. “He soon formed Anandpur Khalsa Force whose members used to wear bulletproof vests and carried firearms. It is also suspected that the funds raised for the outfit’s purposes were diverted by him, his uncle Harjit Singh and one brother,” the official said.
Close watch on social media
The agencies have been keeping a close watch on the social media activities of Mr. Amritpal Singh’s sympathisers. After the Ajnala incident, the Centre had got six anti-India YouTube channels blocked. The channels presenting content in Punjabi language were allegedly trying to create crisis in the State. Ahead of the crackdown on WPD-linked elements, a large number of Twitter handles were suspended to prevent the spread of rumours or fake news.
The government has also urged YouTube to use artificial intelligence and mathematical tools to automatically identify and block such objectionable content. “YouTube in the Indian context is facing difficulties because the content is being uploaded in regional languages and the system used to check the content is based on English language,” said another official.
