The manhunt for Pro-Khalistan preacher and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh ended on quite a quiet note, as Singh was arrested by the Punjab police from the Moga district Sunday morning in a meek surrender, although the police refutes that, calling it a proper arrest.
But why was Singh taken all the way to Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam?
The reason is that North Indian jails are more likely to have gangsters associated with him or the separatist movement, sources said. Add to that, the language barrier and Dibrugarh being a very secure prison, with nary an incident in its 170-year history.
Eight of Singh’s aides are already imprisoned in the highly secure jail, among the oldest prisons in the northeast.
Security around the jail premises has been strengthened to a three-tier grade since March 19, when four members of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ (WPD) were brought in.
‘The jail compound has been surrounded by Assam Police’s elite Black Cat Commandos, CRPF and other security personnel,’ an official told news agency PTI.
A heavily-guarded convoy carried Singh from Dibrugarh airport at around 2.20 pm from Bhatinda on 24 April.
Dibrugarh Jail is currently the third most populated central prison in the state and was also at the center of Assam’s ULFA insurgency movement.
Intelligence agencies say Amritpal Singh has been sourcing weapons from Pakistan and allegedly leading young people towards ‘gun culture.’
Singh and his associates were booked under several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.
Stay updated with all the insights.
Navigate news, 1 email day.
Subscribe to Qrius
