Punjab Police on Thursday doubled down in its crackdown on pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh and deployed a drone in a village in Hoshiarpur district where some suspects had abandoned their car following a chase two days ago. The development comes a day after the radical preacher, who remained untraceable, released a video slamming the Punjab government for not trying hard enough to arrest him.
There was, however, no official comment on it from the police department.
Cops deployed in and around Marnaian village in Hoshiarpur were checking vehicles, while police resumed their search in the area, going door-to-door for the third day. Paramilitary personnel have also been deployed in and around the village.
The Hoshiarpur action began on Tuesday night as police chased a car, which people familiar with the matter said may have carried Amritpal Singh and his aides. Perhaps they abandoned the vehicle at the village and disappeared, a PTI report said.
There were also reports that the suspects could have used another car to escape.
Amritpal Singh Releases Video
In his first video since his escape amid the police crackdown, the Khalistan preacher appealed to his followers and supporters in India and abroad to unite with him and "fight against the injustice" against Sikhs.
He slammed the Punjab Police for arresting Sikh youths during their crackdown on him and said if the state government had the intention of making an arrest, police could have come to his house and he would have given up.
The Big Hunt
Amritpal Singh remains untraceable nearly two weeks since the police crackdown on him and members of his pro-Khalistan 'Waris Punjab De' outfit began on March 18, and about three weeks after he and his supporters stormed into the Ajnala police station near Amritsar to secure the release of an arrested man.
The preacher escaped the police net in Jalandhar district on March 18, switching vehicles and changing appearances several times.
He and his associates have been booked under several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony among classes, attempts to murder, attacks on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.
Some reports said that Singh was planning to surrender and present himself before Akal Takth.
