Group backing Amritpal under lens over plan to eliminate political leaders

Leaked screenshots and audio recordings from a social media group supporting jailed Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh have raised concerns about potential targeted attacks at political leaders and reported plans to incite violence against these leaders.

The group, which reportedly has over 600 members, discussed plans to strike at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia and Parminder Singh Talwara, a close aide of late Deep Sidhu, founder of the “Waris Punjab De”.

The discussions allegedly took place in the background of the one-year extension of Amritpal Singh’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA), announced last Friday.

A police official said all kinds of threats that come in public sphere or otherwise are taken seriously.

The leaked chats reveal that some members of the group are willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause, provided their families are assured protection. Security agencies are reportedly investigating these threats, as there are fears of potential violence in Punjab. The situation underscores the volatile political climate in the region and the challenges posed by separatist movements.

Sources indicate that the group is not only planning attacks on leaders but may also incite violence across Punjab. The revelations have heightened security concerns, with authorities closely monitoring the situation to prevent untoward incidents.

Amritpal Singh, a self-styled preacher and pro-Khalistan separatist, is detained under the NSA since April 2023. His detention scheduled to end on April 22 was extended by one year on Friday.

Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, whose grand-father, former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, was assassinated by terrorists has faced threats in the past and has been accused by Amritpal’s supporters of playing a key role in his detention.

It’s human rights violation: Gargaj

Amritpal’s uncle Sukhchain Singh and others held a meeting with officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj in Amritsar on Sunday. After the meeting, Giani Gargaj said the extension of Amritpal’s detention under the National Security Act was a violation of human rights.

Arrest anti-national forces, says Bittu

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has demanded immediate arrest of Khalistani elements associated with the "Waris Punjab De" group, accusing them of plotting to assassinate him and other political leaders in Punjab. The conspiracy, he said, had been exposed through leaked chats on social media platforms. "The Centre will not allow anti-national forces to destabilise Punjab,” Bittu added.