Punjab on high alert as radical preacher Amritpal Singh remains elusive - know who is he?

Punjab On High Alert: Punjab is on high alert as a search to hunt down the Khalistani sympathiser and radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates continued. A major crackdown was launched against Singh on Saturday and the police arrested 78 members of an outfit 'Waris Punjab De' led by him.

The elusive preacher, however, gave the police a slip and escaped in Jalandhar district, even as authorities stepped up security at several places in the northern state.

Four arrested members were brought to Assam's Dibrugarh on Sunday. Meanwhile, security has been tightened at Amritpal's native village Jallupur Khera, Amritsar, where his father Tarsem Singh alleged that his son has been detained by police.

Speaking to reporters in Jalandhar on Sunday, Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said they will soon arrest Amritpal.

Internet Suspended in Punjab

The Punjab government on Saturday suspended internet and SMS services till Sunday afternoon to prevent any incitement of violence and any disturbance to the peace and public order. 

However, the state authorities extended the suspension till Monday noon and security forces took out flag marches at several places in the state, including Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana.

The broadband services are not being suspended so that banking facilities, hospital services, and other essential services are not disrupted, the order issued by the additional chief secretary said.

Also Read: Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh on the run even as Punjab Police search him

Who is Amritpal Singh?

Dubai-returned Amritpal Singh is the head of 'Waris Punjab De'. It is an organistaion founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu. Singh was appointed the head of this organisation last year after the death of Sidhu. He died in a road accident in February last year.

Why police is in search of Amritpal Singh?

Last month, Amritpal and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into the Ajnala Police Station on the outskirts of the Amritsar city, and clashed with police for the release of one of Amritpal's aide.

After the incident, in which six policemen, including a superintendent of police rank officer, had suffered injuries, the AAP government in the state had faced severe flak and was accused of kowtowing to extremists.

An FIR dated February 24 stands registered against WPD elements for the attack on Ajnala Police Station.

(With PTI inputs)