Police in Punjab have decided to chase down Waris Punjab de Chief and rebellious leader Amritpal Singh Sandhu, after which all the mobile internet and SMS services have been revoked in the state till March 23. The decision was issued on Tuesday followed by an immediate suspension of all internet services.   

“All mobile services, SMS services (except banking and mobile recharge), and all dongle-based services delivered on mobile networks, except voice calling will continue to be paused in the districts – Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Moga, Sangrur, Sub-division Ainala in Amritsar, areas adjoining YPS Chowk and Airport Road both in SAS nagar till March 23rd (12:00 hours) in the interest of Public Safety,” the official order stated. 

Amritpal is still in hiding but his uncle Harjit Singh and driver Harpreet Singh have already surrendered themselves to the Jalandhar police. The officials have arrested 78 members of an outfit headed by him. Harjeet Singh was obtained by Central Jail in Dibrugarh on Tuesday. Some unknown sources said that his uncle was carried from Punjab to the military airport in Jorhat from where he was brought to the Dibrugarh Jail under security by road.

Sometime back, four pro-Khalistani members were flown to Dibrugarh on Sunday and lodged in Central Jail there. The police said a total of 112 arrests have been yet, and 34 were arrested on Sunday. The police also said that Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh was still underground and a massive manhunt is being launched to arrest him. 

The police conducted flag processions in many cities to maintain law and order and install confidence among the people. Jalandhar Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said on Saturday evening that the radical leader has been declared a “fugitive” in the eyes of law. The police action came almost over three weeks after Amritpal’s backers battled with the officials at the Ajnala police station on February 23 on the outskirts of Amritsar, demanding the liberation of one of Amritpal’s close members – Lovepreet Toofan. 

Thousands of his followers clutched the Ajnala police station, throwing swords and high-caliber firearms in the air, terrorizing the police with threatening consequences for not releasing Lovepreet Toofan, who has been in police custody for allegedly assaulting and abducting a man.