Chandigarh: The Punjab Police has six associates of Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh with weapons on Saturday. He, however, managed to escape from the police custody, police sources said. Earlier, reports said that Amritpal was arrested near Nakodar in Jalandhar.
The operation was started in the afternoon and arrested six associates of Amritpal after the police stopped their convoy in Mehatpur, Malsian and Shahkot areas, but Amritpal Singh managed to escape from the spot.
The police continued to chase him and he was managed to escape before police teams could nab him, police said.
Earlier, a vehicle, in which Amritpal Singh himself was believed to be present, had appealed to his supporters to reach that location as police was chasing him. Following this video went viral on the video and authorities decided to immediately shut down internet services to avoid gathering of people and no rumours were spread on social media in this case.
The internet services have been suspended in Punjab till 12 noon on March 19. These orders have been issued by the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Government of Punjab.
Meanwhile, after reports of arrest of Amritpal, his supporters held protest different places in Punjab and including Mohali on Saturday.
The Punjab Police has appealed to the people to maintain peace. The Punjab Police have taken these steps to maintain law and order in the state, a police spokesperson said.