CHANDIGARH: The
Punjab govt
has extended the detention of newly-elected MP and jailed
pro-Khalistan preacher
Amritpal Singh under the
National Security Act
(NSA) for one year till April 22, 2025, on the ground that he continues to indulge in “subversive and separatist activities” prejudicial to the security of the state and maintenance of public order even in
Dibrugarh central jail
.
‘Waris Punjab De’ outfit head Amritpal Singh, detained under the NSA in Assam’s Dibrugarh central jail since April 23, 2023, had recently won from the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat, defeating Congress candidate Kulbir Singh Zira by a margin of 1.97 lakh votes.
The
detention order
issued last week reads, “After considering the report of the advisory board, facts and circumstances of the case and after appreciating the relevant law… the detention order in relation to
Amritpal Singh
of Jallupur Khera in Amritsar district of Punjab … is hereby confirmed under Section 12 (1) of National Security Act for the detenue to be detained for a period of 12 months from 23.4.2024.”
Before deciding to extend Amritpal’s detention under the NSA, the authorities had recorded that
security personnel
had on February 17 seized various unauthorised electronic devices with Amritpal and his associate detenues and had claimed that they had resisted the cops’ search operation. An FIR under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 143 (unlawful assembly) of the IPC was registered February 20 at Dibrugarh police station. The detention order cites the recovery of unauthorised electronic gadgets and says that this clearly points out that “there has been no change in your radical motivation and leanings along with tendency to break law”.
During the investigation, it came to fore that one Nipen Das, superintendent at Dibrugarh central jail, provided electronic articles to Amritpal and his associates to establish contact with their associates outside the jail to further the “separatist and secessionist agenda.” An FIR regarding this was registered on March 7 under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC read with Section 13(1)(b) Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and Section 75 of Assam Prisons Act 2013 at Dibrugarh police station.
The order also mentioned that Amritpal has been constantly urging his supporters and family members to mobilise Sikh radicals and outfits in his support to pressurise the govt to transfer him to a Punjab jail.
