‘Amritpal Singh spent 45 minutes in gurdwara, took priest’s phone': Report

At the gurdwara, Amritpal Singh's men talked to someone on the phone and asked about the ‘mahaul’. After 45 minutes during which they offered prayer, had food and changed their clothes, they left the gurdwara

Radical Sikh preacher and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh on Saturday spent at least 45 minutes in the gurudwara with the police forces breathing down his neck amid its massive crackdown against the Khalistan sympathisers. According to the account the preacher of the Gurudwara and his wife to various media outlets, Amritpal came to the gurudwara at around 1pm and left at 1.45pm. Till 4pm, the priest and his family members who provided him with clothes were unaware that he was being chased by the police. Read | LOC issued; Amritpal Singh brandished rifle, changed clothes, looks to flee | 10 points

Amritpal Singh and four of his men went to the gurdwara at around 1pm on Saturday when the cops were chasing them.

Ranjit Singh, the priest of the Nangal Ambian gurudwara, told Indian Express that he was worried when Amritpal and his men came to his gurudwara as he thought they came to create a ruckus. Amritpal was accompanied by four men when he reached the gurudwara and they said they were going to a programme for which they needed some clothes.

“I was surprised but I did what they said and got my son’s clothes,” Ranjit Singh told Indian Express. Amritpal asked for a pair of long trousers from them. Amritpal's men on the phone were asking someone about the 'mahaul' but that did not raise any suspicion at that time. Amritpal asked the priest if he could use his (priest's) phone. Amritpal took his phone and returned it after a while when they were ready to leave the gurudwara.

Four days after the massive crackdown launched in Punjab for which the internet in the state has been partially suspended, the radical Sikh preacher remains absconding. With close to 180 arrests made in connection with the crackdown and the several illegal weapons recovered, the Punjab Police have pressed strong charges against Amritpal Singh. The police have not confirmed whether Amritpal has left Punjab, but Uttarakhand Police have started checking all gurdwara, hotels near the India-Nepal border. The Punjab police released several photos of Amritpal Singh in different appearances and attire -- so that he can be caught even if he changes his looks.