Amritpal Singh, a radical preacher and pro-Khalistan separatist, has surrendered to the police in Punjab’s Moga. He was arrested after addressing a gathering at a gurdwara and has been flown to Dibrugarh in Assam, where his eight associates, including his main aide Papalpreet Singh, are already being held under the National Security Act. This Act allows detention for up to a year without charge. Singh had been on the run since March 18 when the Punjab police launched a crackdown following the storming of the Ajnala police station by his supporters. His wife was stopped by immigration officials at Amritsar airport as she was trying to board a flight to London. Singh has several criminal cases registered against him, including spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants. The government accuses Singh of working to “vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of Punjab” and being a Khalistani-Pakistan agent.
