Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Friday extended the detention of jailed gangster turned politician, Amritpal Singh by another year. The government said that he will continue to remain in detention in Assam’s Dibrugarh Jail. The Khadoor Sahib MP has been in jail for the past 2 years, having been charged under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
On April 23, Singh will complete 2 years in detention. Apart from NSA, he has also been charged under the UAPA. After receiving a recommendation from the District Magistrate of Amritsar, the state’s Home Department extended the detention period for 1 year.
The decision was sudden. A team of Punjab Police had made all necessary preparations to go to Assam to get the prisoner back to the state. But following discussions between the security agencies of both the state and central government, the decision to keep Amritpal in detention for 1 more year was taken. The decision was based upon the current security situation in Punjab, according to a source quoted by a leading daily.
A team of the Punjab Police however was sent to Assam to complete the procedures and formalities to extend the detention of Amritpal under NSA. Nine aides of Amritpal were brought back to Punjab from Assam in April after the government decided to not extend their detention period. All of them are in custody of the Punjab POlice.
Amritpal Singh who is a self-proclaimed KHalistani separatist was arrested in Moga’s Rode village on April 23, 2023, following an over a month-long manhunt. The man became one of the most wanted in Punjab after he along with his supporters attacked the Ajnala police station, brandishing guns and swords. The attack was to get some of his aides released from jail.
