The Punjab government has announced that it will not extend the detention of seven associates of jailed Lok Sabha MP and pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh under the National Security Act (NSA). As a result, the individuals will be transferred back to Punjab from Assam’s Dibrugarh jail, according to a senior police official.
The seven individuals, including Basant Singh, Bhagwant Singh Bajekhana, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala, Sarabjit Kalsi, Ranjeet Kalsi, Gurinder Pal Singh Gurri Aujla, and Harjeet Singh (alias Chacha) were arrested in connection with the 2023 Ajnala Police Station attack and had been lodged in Dibrugarh jail for the past two years. Their detention under the NSA, which was set to expire, will not be extended.
Amritpal Singh, a polarizing figure with strong connections to the Khalistani movement, has been making headlines since his arrest in April 2023 for his role in a protest at the Ajnala police station. As an independent candidate, he won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib constituency, capping a remarkable rise in his political career. With a background in running a pro-Khalistani organization, Waris Punjab De, Amritpal’s controversial past continues to make headlines.
According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Border Range, Satinder Singh, the seven individuals are being transferred back to Punjab in connection with the Ajnala case. “We’re currently recording the arrest of these individuals and bringing them back to Punjab,” he said. “Further action will be determined after their remand.” The development has sparked curiosity about what lies ahead for Amritpal and his associates, as well as the wider implications for the Khalistani movement in Punjab.
The recent turn of events has kept commentators and analysts engaged, with many weighing in on Amritpal’s intentions and the potential impact of his release on the already volatile political landscape in Punjab. As Amritpal’s case unfolds, one thing is clear: his release has significant implications for the state and the national narrative on extremism. The question on everyone’s lips remains: what’s next for Amritpal Singh and his associates, and what does their return to Punjab portend for the region’s future?
