Court slams Punjab Police for failing to arrest Amritpal Singh

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has lambasted the state government for its failure to apprehend Waris Punjab De chief and pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh as the search for the radical leader entered its fourth day on Tuesday. "You have 80,000 cops. What were they doing?" the court questioned and asked the government to file a status report within four days.

• The court's remarks came just days after the Punjab Police intensified its crackdown operation to arrest the pro-Khalistani leader and his associates after Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's meeting on March 2.
• To note, numerous close aides of Singh were arrested in Jalandhar on Saturday and are reportedly being interrogated by the police.

While questioning the police about how Singh gave them the slip, the court called it an intelligence failure on the part of the state police and asked why the separatist leader was still free. "You have 80,000 cops. What were they doing. How did Amritpal Singh escape?" the Mann-led government was asked by the court.

Earlier, the Punjab CM stated that his government would not compromise with peace in the state and that strict actions would be taken against those trying to disrupt the harmony. Reportedly, the statement marked the first reaction from Mann since the state police launched their massive crackdown to arrest the Waris Punjab De chief.

"In the last few days, some elements were talking to spoil the environment of Punjab with the help of foreign powers and were giving hateful speeches," the Punjab CM told ANI. "Action has been taken against them and they have been arrested and strict punishment will be given to them," he further added while sending out a warning.

Over 50 police vehicles reportedly pursued Singh and his close aides on Saturday in an attempt to arrest them after the pro-Khalistani leader's last location was tracked in Jalandhar's Shahkot. Meanwhile, numerous supporters of Singh also alleged that the police were looking for them. Despite this, the police are yet to capture the separatist leader, and a statewide operation is still underway.

According to Punjab Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill, a total of 114 individuals have been arrested so far amid the statewide crackdown on supporters of the Waris Punjab De organization. In the same case, Waris Punjab De chief's uncle Harjit Singh was flown over to the Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam on Tuesday morning.