Politics
'Waris Punjab De' To Go The PFI Way As MHA Mulls Banning The Separatist Group
Swarajya Staff
Mar 21, 2023, 10:44 AM | Updated 01:36 PM IST
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Pro-Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh is under investigation by intelligence and security agencies, as ‘Waris Punjab De’ is being considered for a ban under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
A detailed dossier is being prepared on Singh.
Amritpal was reportedly trained by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Georgia and has connections with the 'Sikhs for Justice', according to intelligence agencies.
He was instructed to emulate Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's speaking style to garner attention, and was shown recordings of the Khalistani ideologue during his training.
According to security sources, the Punjab Police is leading the crackdown on Amritpal and his supporters with the assistance of central forces and intelligence agencies. The action is based on intelligence inputs collected over time.
A senior security official stated that banning an organization requires a solid dossier and documentary evidence to present to the adjudicating authority.
The central intelligence agencies have discovered that Amritpal Singh had been blindly followed by people in the name of religion. He forbade them to carry mobile phones during his events, as stated by an official.
Amritpal allegedly created a rebellious 'private militia' at drug de-addiction centers in Punjab, as well as, a group of criminals who served as his guards, officials said.
The intelligence agencies reported that Amritpal also had connections with the organisation 'Sikhs for Justice' (SFJ).
According to a senior intelligence source quoted in The Tribune, the individual had contact with ISI operatives in Dubai and was then taken to Georgia for training, where the Pakistani spy agency has assets with support from SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannu.
After Amritpal's arrival in Punjab, the number of drone flights carrying drugs and weapons from across the border has reportedly increased.
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