Why Amritpal Singh's detention extended by another year?

The Punjab government has extended by one-year detention of pro-Khalistan activist and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam.

This development has come as a surprise as the police did not extend the detention of his nine other co-accused in 12 FIRs lodged against them.

Senior police officials said Amritpal was an exception because of some additional evidence that he continued to be a threat to the law and order of the state.

The extension in one-year detention was made by the state home department on the recommendation of the Amritsar District Magistrate about the need to keep Amritpal under detention.

The Magistrate’s recommendation is based on the police and intelligence department’s report.

The decision was taken after careful deliberation by the state’s Home Affairs and Justice Department, with the advisory board's recommendation.

Amritpal Singh, the leader of the "Waris Punjab De" organisation, has been in custody since April 2023, following a high-profile manhunt.

He, along with his associates, has been lodged in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam. The extension order, issued on June 3, 2024, ensures their continued detention until April 2025.

He and nine others were arrested during the crackdown in March 2023. The government cited security concerns and the potential threat posed by their activities as reasons for the extension.