Indian authorities extend detention of Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh by another year
Chandigarh: The Indian Punjab government has extended the detention of pro-Khalistan activist and Member of Indian Parliament Amritpal Singh by one year under the draconian National Security Act (NSA).
According to Kashmir Media Service, Amritpal Singh is currently lodged in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam. The move has raised eyebrows as the police have not extended the detention of his nine other associates implicated in 12 FIRs registered against them. Senior police officials claimed that Amritpal Singh was treated as an exception due to what they called ‘additional evidence’ suggesting that he continued to pose a threat to law and order in the state.
The officials said that the extension was approved by the Punjab Home Department following a recommendation by the Amritsar District Magistrate, who reportedly emphasized the need to keep Amritpal under detention.
Amritpal Singh, the leader of the “Waris Punjab De” organisation, has been in custody since April 2023. He and the nine others were initially arrested during a state-wide crackdown in March 2023. The Indian government has cited security concerns and the potential threat posed by their activities as justification for the extended detention.
