New photo shows Amritpal Singh on cart; mother, wife questioned
What's the story
A new photo of fugitive Khalistani sympathizer and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh surfaced on Wednesday, in which he is seen on the carriage of a three-wheeler cart with a motorcycle and another man apart from the driver. Previously, he was reported to have visited a gurudwara in Nangal Ambian village in Punjab with four men, where he changed clothes and had food.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The manhunt for Singh entered its sixth day on Thursday, nearly a month after he and his supporters attacked Punjab's Ajnala Police Station with swords and guns to free one of their arrested aides. Singh is reportedly a radical preacher who intelligence agencies claim is an agent of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) brought to spread drugs and violence in India.
Information
Singh switched vehicles to dodge police
According to police, Singh was in a Mercedes SUV when they began chasing him on Saturday. Finding himself cornered, he abandoned the SUV and switched to a Maruti Brezza. Another clip showed him leave the car and scoot away with three accomplices on two bikes.
Twitter Post
Singh changed his appearance to evade police
Another picture from the great escape. HC's question to state govt seems so valid that what 80,000 cops were doing?? #AmritpalSingh pic.twitter.com/P55Gto0JQ2
— Parteek Singh Mahal (@parteekmahal) March 22, 2023
Questioning
Police reached his native village to question his kin
On Wednesday, Punjab Police reached Singh's native village Jallupur Khera in Baba Bakala tehsil of Amritsar to question his kin regarding his whereabouts and other information. Reportedly, the cops tried to persuade Singh's parents to get him to surrender before a court anywhere across India. They, however, told the police that they had not been in contact with him ever since he fled.
Information
Singh's wife is accused of securing foreign funds
The police also questioned his wife, Kirandeep Kaur, who is alleged to be involved in securing foreign funds for Waris Punjab De. Notably, Singh married Kaur, an NRI from the United Kingdom (UK), in February and announced that they would stay back in India.
Brother
Singh's brother also on the run
Senior investigators also alleged that Singh's brother, Happy, is on the run. Leads claim he was active in the Shahkot area on Saturday when the police were chasing Singh's convoy. Nearly 60 police vehicles intercepted Singh's convoy, and one of his SUVs was hit in the process. Singh's seven armed guards were nabbed in two cars but he managed to escape in the third.