Search Intensifies for Sikh Separatist Preacher by Punjab Police

Indian police in the state of Punjab have initiated a major hunt for Amritpal Singh, a controversial self-proclaimed preacher who has been missing since Saturday. To assist the search efforts, internet and messaging services have been suspended and security tightened. Singh, 30, espouses the cause of Khalistan, an independent Sikh nation. Numerous accomplices of him have already been taken into custody by the police.

The police of Punjab, India, have launched a massive search for Mr. Navjot Singh Singh, declaring him a fugitive. They had clamped down on the followers of Mr. Singh, after his aides were arrested a few weeks ago, leading to supporters of the politician storming a police station to demand the release of the said aide.

The police have been setting up traffic blockades across the state to check vehicles, in an attempt to locate Mr. Singh. Local media reported that Mr. Singh had managed to outrun the police in an exciting chase near the Shahkot-Mehatpur area in the Jalandhar district, having been travelling in a cavalcade.

Some of his supporters live-streamed the chase, according to the Times of India, and also uploaded videos to social media, pleading with followers to assemble near Jalandhar.
One of the videos depicts Singh's convoy pulled up at a check post near Jalandhar, subsequently pursued by a number of police cars.

The Indian Express quotes Singh's uncle Harjit Singh, who was part of the convoy and then surrendered to the police on Sunday night, as reporting that Singh had been in the car with him when they were en route to Moga district in Punjab. He explained that they were warned of a "heavy deployment of armed forces", causing them to change course and Singh to move on to a different car.

Some of his supporters live-streamed the chase, according to the Times of India, and also uploaded videos to social media, pleading with followers to assemble near Jalandhar.
One of the videos depicts Singh's convoy pulled up at a check post near Jalandhar, subsequently pursued by a number of police cars.

The Indian Express quotes Singh's uncle Harjit Singh, who was part of the convoy and then surrendered to the police on Sunday night, as reporting that Singh had been in the car with him when they were en route to Moga district in Punjab. He explained that they were warned of a "heavy deployment of armed forces", causing them to change course and Singh to move on to a different car.

A top police official informed the ANI news agency on Sunday that Singh had managed to flee after the authorities had been pursuing him for a distance of 20-25km (12-15 miles). Swapan Sharma reported that the police had confiscated three vehicles believed to have been employed by Singh and his comrades, as well as illegal arms and ammunition. He claimed that seven of Singh's compatriots had been apprehended and a legal case had been filed against them and also Singh. The police have taken into custody several of Singh's followers who had been demonstrating against the plan to apprehend him.

On Sunday, individuals bearing signs with the slogan "Khalistan" demonstrated outside the Indian High Commission in London. Footage captured a man taking the Indian flag down from the balcony of the building.
In response, Indian authorities invited the highest ranking British diplomat in Delhi to register their vehement complaint.

Imaan Singh Khara, legal adviser to jailed activist Surat Singh Khalsa, has alleged that he is being detained "illegally and forcibly" by police, prompting a petition to the Punjab and Haryana High Court requesting that Singh be presented in court. The court has given the state of Punjab until the 21st of March to respond. Meanwhile, officers have been marching the streets in certain areas in the hopes of creating a sense of security and upholding law and order.