The Punjab government has filed a response in court defending its decision to reapply the National Security Act (NSA) on associates of Khadur Sahib MP and pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh, who has been imprisoned in Dibrugarh Jail for nearly 18 months. The government claims that the accused pose a serious threat to the state’s law and order and to the life of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
To support its stance, the police presented video clips in court, in which the accused were seen making inflammatory statements, allegedly threatening that CM Bhagwant Mann could meet the same fate as former CM Beant Singh, who was killed in a bomb blast by terrorists. The next court hearing on this matter is scheduled for October 3, during which both the central and state governments are expected to submit records regarding the application of NSA on Amritpal Singh and his associates.
Response from Amritsar Rural Police
Amritpal Singh and his associates, including actor Daljit Singh Kalsi and Gurmeet Singh Bhukkanwala, had challenged the reapplication of NSA in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In its affidavit, Amritsar Rural Police referenced a video recorded after the February 2023 Ajnala station incident. In the video, Amritpal Singh allegedly warned CM Mann to avoid following the path of Beant Singh, who was assassinated by a suicide bomber. The police claim that Amritpal further incited his followers, implying that more extremists could emerge from the crowd.
Potential Threat to Law and Order
The Punjab government maintains that Amritpal Singh and his associates are capable of taking the law into their own hands and may harm those who oppose their radical ideology. Their provocative statements, according to the government, have the potential to mislead the youth and disrupt peace in the state. As such, the reapplication of NSA is deemed appropriate.
Associates Preparing for Assembly By-Elections
Despite being in jail, Amritpal Singh has expressed his intent to contest elections, and now his associates are also preparing to enter the political arena. Daljit Singh Kalsi plans to contest from the Dera Baba Nanak seat, which became vacant after Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa was elected as an MP. Similarly, Kulwant Singh Rouke is preparing to contest from the Barnala seat, vacated after Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer’s election to Parliament. Another associate, Bhagwant Singh, also known as “Prime Minister Bajeke,” is eyeing the Gidderbaha seat, aiming to become an MLA. His son, Aakashdeep Singh, recently announced this decision.