Amritpal Singh: How was the preparation done to clamp down on Amritpal, what happened at Ajnala police station? Strategy made till Delhi

In December 2022, a meeting of DGPs of all states was held under the leadership of Home Minister Amit Shah. In this meeting, a presentation was given by Punjab’s DGP Gaurav Yadav. In this, apart from arms and drug smuggling, he had told in detail about Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh.

17 February 2023: Lovepreet Singh alias Toofan, a close aide of Amritpal, was arrested for allegedly assaulting and abducting one Varinder Singh of Rupnagar. An FIR is also registered against Amritpal in the case.

23 February 2023: Supporters of Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistan leader of radical organization ‘Waris Punjab De’, attacked the Ajnala police station with guns and swords. Six policemen and some of Amritpal’s supporters were also injured in the violent clash. All of them had come to protest for the release of Lovepreet Singh Toofan, close to Amritpal.

24 February 2023: A day after the incident of attack on Ajnala police station, the local court ordered the release of Lovepreet Singh. Also asked the concerned SHO to investigate the matter and submit its report. On the orders of the court, he was released at around 3 pm.

25 February 2023: The Union Home Ministry prepared to intervene regarding Amritpal Singh, the head of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ organization, which is moving forward on the demand of Khalistan in Punjab. The IB prepared a detailed report of the developments that were going on in Punjab.

26 February 2023: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that Khalistan supporters are getting money from Pakistan and other countries. The Chief Minister did not reveal any concrete strategy to deal with Khalistani elements, but said that the Punjab Police is capable of handling the issue and only a few people are supporting it in Punjab.

March 2, 2023: In the wake of increasing incidents of Khalistan supporters in Punjab, there were reports of some major step being taken to maintain law and order. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence. 18 companies of CRPF/RAF were deployed in Punjab on the instructions of Union Home Ministry.

11 March 2023: Action started on Amritpal’s associates. After the Punjab Police, the police of the Jammu administration took major action. Arms licenses of two associates of Amritpal were cancelled. These include the names of Varinder Singh and Talwinder Singh.

March 13, 2023: During the attack on Ajnala police station, the 16-member sub-committee constituted in the matter of taking Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to the spot submitted its report to the Jathedar of Shri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh. Committee’s co-ordinator Karnail Singh Peer Muhammad gave this report to him in a sealed cover.

March 18, 2023: On Saturday, the Punjab Police launched an operation to nab Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh in connection with the attack on Ajnala police station. Internet has been suspended in many districts of Punjab till Sunday afternoon.