Amritpal's uncle moved to Dibrugarh jail in Assam
Dibrugarh (PTI): Radical preacher Amritpal Singh's uncle Harjit Singh was brought to Assam by the Punjab Police on Tuesday morning, a senior official said.
Harjit Singh, who was moved to the Dibrugarh jail by road from Guwahati, is the fifth person linked to Amritpal's 'Waris Punjab De' (WPD) to be brought to the Northeastern state, he said.
A cavalcade of seven security vehicles took Harjit Singh from the Guwahati airport to the Dibrugarh central jail where he was lodged at 7.10 am, the official said.
He gave himself up before the police in the early hours of Monday.
Harjit Singh, who officials say helped his nephew gain control over the accounts of WPD, is among the five people slapped with the National Security Act (NSA), which allows the preventive detention of anyone who could threaten national security or public order.
On Sunday, four WPD members were brought to the Dibrugarh central jail after the Punjab government on Saturday began a major crackdown on the outfit, headed by Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal, who is wanted in several criminal cases. They are Daljit Singh Kalsi, Bhagwant Singh, Gurmeet Singh and 'Pradhanmantri' Bajeka.
Over 100 people have been arrested so far in the crackdown, according to Punjab Police.
Heavy security has been deployed at the Mohanbari airport in Dibrugarh, fuelling speculation that more WPD members could be brought to the BJP-ruled state from Punjab, around 2,500 km away.
Harjit Singh along with driver Harpreet Singh surrendered before the police near Bullandpur gurdwara in Jalandhar's Mehatpur area. Punjab's Deputy Inspector General of Police (Border Range) Narinder Bhargav was among the officers at the spot.
In a video shot then, Harjit Singh was seen producing his licensed 32-bore pistol and cash amounting to Rs 1-1.25 lakh that he was carrying in a Mercedes. The car was later seized and the two men taken away by the Amritsar Rural police, officials said.
Assam's Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Prashanta Bhuyan reviewed the security arrangements in Dibrugarh on Monday.
Bhuyan refused to share details, stating, "These are sensitive matters related to the internal security of the state."
The Punjab Police crackdown on WPD began weeks after Amritpal and his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station near Amritsar to secure the release of an arrested associate.
The episode had raised fears over the possibility of the return of Khalistani militancy to the state that borders Pakistan.
WPD was formed by singer-activist Deep Sandhu. Amritpal took over as its chief a month after his death last year.
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Victims are being pressurised; we will resume stir if no action is taken by June 15: Wrestlers
Wrestlers won’t participate in Asian Games unless issues are resolved, says Sakshi Malik
Sonepat, Jun 10: The WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is using his influence to put sexual harassment victims under pressure and forcing them to change their statements, the protesting wrestlers alleged on Saturday, threatening to resume their stir if a strong action is not taken against him by June 15.
The government had assured the wrestlers that a charge-sheet will be filed against the outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief Singh by June 15, following which they had halted their protest.
The wrestlers called a 'Panchayat' at Chhotu Ram Dharamshaala in Sonepat district, inviting khap, farmers and members from women organisation, who have supported them in their "fight for justice".
The wresters apprised their supporters of the discussion they had with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday.
Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik said efforts are being made to break the victims.
"It's proved, the statements were recorded under section 161 and 164 and it changed. We can't understand," Sakshi said referring to withdrawal of sexual harassment charges by a minor, who is one of the seven complainants in the case.
"It is clear that father of the minor was under pressure. Pressure is being built. For how long we will fight then," she said.
"Bajrang is getting calls, bik jao, toot jao (take bribe, end the protest). Wrong narratives are being set (by media). It breaks our hearts," she said.
"That is why we had said first arrest him and then investigate. If he is in police custody, he can't pressurise. Otherwise, one by one, victims will break. Till he is out, an atmosphere of terror will remain."
"We will not compete in Asian Games until a proper resolution comes out in this case. You can't understand the mental agony we are going through everyday," said Sakshi.
Bajrang Punia, one of the key members of the protest, while speaking during the panchayat, insisted that no politics is involved in their stir against the WFI chief.
Later speaking to media, he said,"We had called this Panchayat to inform everyone the discussion we had. If a strong action is not taken by June 15, we will resume our protest."
He said they not yet decided on the venue of the protest and it could be either "Jantar Mantar or Ram Leela Maidan".
The police has already made it clear that the wrestlers will not be allowed back to Jantar Mantar.
Vinesh Phogat was not part of the discussion when Thakur had invited wrestlers for an interaction and she was absent even today.
Asked about this, both Bajrang and Sakshi gave different answers.
"Let me tell you that Sakshi, Bajrang and Vinesh are one. Vinesh is handling the legal issue, there is lot of other work as well. Rumours are being spread that we are stepping back We are one, we are united in our decisions," said Sakshi.
Bajrang said, "Vinesh is unwell that is why she is not here today."
Both Bajrang and Sakshi criticised the Delhi Police for taking one of the victims to WFI office in New Delhi when the accused was also present on the premises.
"How fair is that you take a girl there to re-create the scene when that man is there inside? You can understand the mental pressure she would have felt," said Bajrang.
A few media outlets suggested that wrestler reached the WFI office to work out a compromise and Sakshi denounced it.
"Delhi police was wrong. What's the use of this? I request, not to spread wrong news. We are getting support, do not mislead. We are working hard, we break every day. Then we lift our spirits. If you can't support us, then at least do not spread wrong information," she concluded.
