In a massive success for the Punjab Police, fugitive Amritpal Singh on Sunday was arrested in a joint operation carried out by Amritsar Police and the Intelligence Wing of the Punjab Police. Amritpal Singh who was on a run for 36 days was arrested from Rode Village outside Gurdwara Sahib. While Amritpal Singh has been sent to Assam's Dibrugarh jail, his hideout in Rode raises many serious questions. For the unversed, Rode is the native village of the slain Bhindrawale of whom Amritpal Singh was a great follower. Not only this, Amritpal Singh was made the President of Waris Punjab De in the same village and in the same Gurdwara Sahib. To be precise, Amritpal Singh was made Waris Punjab Chief during the Dastarbandi ceremony in Gurdwara Sahib in Rode. Amritpal Singh, who is also called 'Bhindrawale 2.0' by his supporters, was hiding inside the Gurudwara Sahib. Notably, IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill informed that the Punjab Police did not enter the premises of Gurudwara Sahib but the forces cordoned off the area and surrounded the village from all around.
As soon as Amritpal could not find a way to flee from the Police nets once again, he was arrested by the Punjab Police. However, Bhindrawale's nephew Jasbir Singh Rode claimed that Amritpal Singh surrendered to the Police and he had arrived in Rode village on Saturday. Notably, the Punjab Police denied the claims of Jasbir Rode saying that Amritpal Singh was arrested not surrendered. Jasbir Rode stated that he got to know that Amritpal Singh was going to surrender and therefore he reached Gurudwara Sahib before his arrest. Rode further stated that Amritpal addressed a Sangat (gathering) at the Gurudwara Sahib and there he explained why he is surrendering after so long. Rode further stated that Amritpal then went outside Gurudwara and surrendered before the Police.
Punjab Police Refuse Amritpal Singh's surrender claims
Addressing the media on Sunday, IGP Gill denied Jasbir Rode's claims saying that Amritpal Singh surrendered saying that he was arrested. Gill stated that "NSA warrants were issued against Amritpal Singh and those warrants have been executed today morning." IGP Gill further stated that the team got credible intel that Amritpal Singh was hiding in Rode village and following that Police surrounded the village in order to nab the fugitive. When there was no way left for Amritpal to flee from the spot as the Police had surrounded the village, the Waris Punjab De Chief was finally arrested ending a long 36 days manhunt for the Punjab Police.
Why Amritpal Singh chose the Gurudwara Sahib of Rode?
Amritpal Singh's arrest timeline: From Dubai to Assam jail, how Waris Punjab De Chief was nabbed
Notably, the Gurudwara Sahib of Rode is of great significance, especially for people linked to Khalistan. The Gurudwara Sahib of Rode where Amritpal Singh was hiding comes under the administration of Bhindrawale's family. To brush up your memory, it was the same Gurudwara where Amritpal Singh was made the chief of Waris Punjab De in a dastarabandi ceremony. Therefore, taking a hideout in Gurudwara Shaib which is close to pro-Khalistan elements was an attempt to disturb the peace and harmony if the Police entered the premises. However, Punjab Police worked carefully and forced the Waris Punjab De Chief to come out. Meanwhile, Amritpal Singh kept on doing his drama and also made a video of himself addressing a gathering before his arrest.
It is pertinent to mention here that previously it was reported that Amritpal Singh might surrender in Shri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar or even at Bathinda's Talwandi Sahib. However, after reports surfaced, the Punjab Police had amped up security and therefore the Waris Punjab De Chief could not enter the Golden Temple or Talwandi Sahib. While security were beefed up near Golden Temple, Amritpal Singh silently took the advantage to get into Rode's Gurudwara Sahib. However, when the Punjab Police got the intel and blocked ever exit, Amritpal Singh was forced to come out. As per sources, Amritpal Singh wanted to march with his followers from Gurudwara Sahib in order to gain traction, however, his plan was foiled by Punjab Police