Police maintained sanctity, didn't enter Gurudwara to arrest Amritpal: Top cop

Hours after arresting Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh on Sunday, Punjab IGP Sukhchain Singh narrated the sequence leading up to his arrest.

Addressing the media, the Punjab IGP said that the cops were under relentless pressure for the last 35 days and all the wings of the police department have been working in coordination in the special operation to nab the radical preacher.

"I would like to explain that the NSA was issued against Amritpal Singh and it has been executed today morning. Further, the law will take its on course in this case," he said.

"A joint operation was launched by Amritsar Police and the Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police. He was located in village Rode based on inputs from the Punjab police. He was surrounded by all sides by the Punjab police," the IGP said. The top cop added that as there was no way for Amritpal Singh to escape, he surrendered.

The Punjab IGP also stated that the cops did not enter Gurudwara Sahib to maintain sanctity.

"Amritpal Singh has been sent to Dibrugarh, Assam and further action will be taken as per law and order in the case. A warning has been issued against those elements trying to jeopardise the peace and harmony of the state," he said.

Police had launched a major crackdown against Amritpal Singh and members of 'Waris Punjab De' on March 18. However, the radical preacher gave the police a slip and escaped their dragnet when his cavalcade was intercepted in the Jalandhar district.

The Punjab cops launched the manhunt after Amritpal Singh and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into the Ajnala Police Station on the outskirts of the Amritsar city, clashing with police for the release of one of Amritpal's aide in February.